Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, announced today that it will offer direct twice daily return flights between East Midlands Airport and Dublin Airport from 5 February 2015.
The airline is returning to East Midlands Airport after 18 years to offer a direct route to Dublin.
Aer Lingus Regional expects to carry up to 70,000 customers on the new route in the first year and will operate all services on the company’s brand new fleet of regional aircraft.
All flights to and from East Midlands will operate from Aer Lingus’ hub at Dublin Airport’s new Terminal 2, where passengers can avail of US Customs and Border Pre-Clearance for onward travel to the US.
The schedule will offer a morning and evening service to accommodate a day return for business passengers (see full schedule below). One way fares start from £29.99 including taxes and charges, and are available now for booking at aerlingus.com.
Additionally, the route will enable UK-based passengers to connect to Aer Lingus mainline transatlantic services to New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Toronto through Dublin where they can avail of immigration and customs preclearance services before their onward journey to the US. The service means that passengers are treated as domestic passengers on arrival in the US and so avoid long delays often associated with security checks.
Only Dublin and Shannon airports offer this service in Europe.
Equally, Aer Lingus business class passengers can avail of free Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights and beginning next March, will benefit from the new business class cabin which will offer brand new two-meter flat beds and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment via a 16 inch high definition multi-touch screen.
Speaking at the announcement in East Midlands Airport today, Mr Simon Fagan, Chief Commercial Officer, Stobart Air, said that the new route to Dublin represents a convenient, accessible and value for money choice for East Midlands based customers.
“We are delighted to return to East Midlands Airport to launch this route to Dublin after 18 years. Today’s announcement is part of the growth of our airline and reflects the ongoing success of our franchise partnership with Aer Lingus.
“Derby, Leicester and Nottingham have thriving business communities. The availability of a twice daily return service to the business capital in Ireland means that business passengers will benefit from a convenient schedule which accommodates a day return. For leisure passengers, the route provides convenient and efficient access to Dublin, Ireland’s tourism and cultural capital.
“We are pleased to be linking Dublin to a region which has eight major universities including Loughborough University and University of Leicester, as well as being home to the headquarters of some of the UK’s most iconic businesses including Rolls Royce, Aero and Marine, JCB and Boots.
“The other main advantage that Dublin Airport offers are connections to Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services. Passengers from Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and the wider region will save hours of travel time and delays in US airports by availing of US Customs and border preclearance facilities in Dublin Airport prior to boarding.
“We look forward to working with East Midlands Airport in launching and developing this route for our customers from 5 February,” Mr Fagan concluded.
Speaking at the launch today, Mr Andy Cliffe, Managing Director, East Midlands Airport said:
Andy Cliffe, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport said: “This new route will without doubt enhance connectivity for our passengers in the East Midlands region, both to Dublin and with further travel options to America and Canada.
“This link is something that the airport has been committed to securing and we are delighted that Aer Lingus has joined us as a brand new operator.
“We are expecting around 70,000 passengers to use this route every year and this commitment from Aer Lingus signifies enhanced ties between the two regions, access to new markets for regional businesses, and opens four new connecting destinations for the first time from East Midlands Airport.”
News & Events
