Aer Lingus Announces Major Long-Haul Expansion for 2016

Aer Lingus today announced a major expansion of its transatlantic route offering for 2016 with three new routes from North America to Dublin. In addition to its nine existing routes from Boston, Chicago, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Toronto to Dublin and Boston and New York to Shannon, Aer Lingus will introduce three new routes from Los Angeles, Newark and Hartford in 2016.

The airline will commence a year round direct service between Los Angeles and Dublin from May, 2016 with five services per week. Direct daily year round flights will start in early September from Newark, New Jersey to Dublin. A third new route will commence in late September with a daily service from Hartford, Connecticut to Dublin.

This is the single largest expansion of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic network since the airline commenced transatlantic flying in 1958.

Aer Lingus’ total long haul seat capacity will grow by more than 17% in 2016, representing the fourth consecutive year of more than double-digit long haul growth.

The growth plan underpins Aer Lingus’ successful strategy of expanding its Dublin Airport base into a major European transatlantic gateway. The convenience of U.S. Customs and Border Protection services at Dublin has enhanced the continued growth of Aer Lingus’ Dublin operation as a connecting gateway.

The new routes will not only connect Los Angeles, Newark, and Hartford with Ireland but will also provide connections to a range of UK and European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

In summer 2016 Aer Lingus will operate 28 daily services across the Atlantic offering value to business and leisure customers in an increased number of markets across Europe and North America.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Aer Lingus, said: “We are delighted to be delivering on the growth opportunities that being part of International Airlines Group presents. The introduction of these three routes will open up new tourism and business opportunities with improved connectivity through our Dublin Gateway. We look forward to welcoming guests on board our new services in 2016.”

Within weeks of the completion of the IAG transaction, Aer Lingus is delivering on its commitment to grow Ireland’s connectivity.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive, IAG, said: “Ireland’s geographic location and US immigration pre-clearance provides IAG with the natural gateway to build our business between Europe and North America through Aer Lingus. This is the first step in our plans to add North American destinations, bring new aircraft into the fleet, increase passenger numbers and create new jobs. This shows also our keenness to develop Dublin as another key hub within the Group.”

Commenting on the announcement, Paschal Donohoe TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, said: “Foremost in the Government’s mind when considering the disposal of the State’s share in Aer Lingus was the benefits that would be delivered for the company as part of the wider IAGGroup. The airline’s ability to enhance connectivity, grow jobs and secure its future was significantly improved under IAG. Today’s announcement of three new routes, the creation of 200 new jobs and transatlantic capacity growth to more than two million seats for the first time ever demonstrates the strength of Aer Lingus as part of the Group. This news also comes on the back of the new routes and frequencies announced by Aer Lingus just two weeks ago as part of its short-haul 2016 summer schedule. All of this combines to strengthen Irish aviation and encourage additional tourists to come here which will further support our economic recovery. I wish the company every success.”

Flights between Los Angeles and Dublin, and Newark and Dublin go on sale today on aerlingus.com with great fares, inclusive of taxes and fees. Flights between Hartford and Dublin go on sale on aerlingus.com on 3rd November 2015.