Aer Lingus Returns to Ireland West Knock With New Daily London Gatwick Service!

Ireland West Airport Knock today, Friday 19th December 2008, is delighted to welcome Aer Lingus's return to the West of Ireland following agreement to commence an Aer Lingus London Gatwick service in April 2009. The decision will provide the Airport and the region with interlining capabilities connecting business interests and tourism traffic in both directions. It will add an additional127, 000 annual seat capacity at Ireland West Airport Knock increasing its share of the Irish regional market to the UK to almost 20%.

Additional €12 million Tourism Spend Injection to Western Economy

Aer Lingus will commence the daily service to London Gatwick, the tenth busiest airport in the world, on April 6th 2009 next using an Airbus A320 aircraft with 174 seats, which brings Ireland West Knock's connectivity to/from London airports to over 1,200 seats per day with 220 onward connections available for travellers into, and out of, the West and North West of Ireland through London Gatwick Airport. This latest route announcement will provide an increase of around 35,000 tourists to the region which is expected to inject almost €12 million in spend into the Western regional economy.

Welcoming the announcement, Robert Grealis, Chief Executive of Ireland West Airport Knock said: "This is a major milestone for Ireland West Airport Knock as we welcome back Aer Lingus, our first interlining airline brand. It is a huge boost for the Airport and a massive vote of confidence in the region, which I am sure, will be much appreciated by the travelling public as well as by our region's tourism and business communities. The Airport has always sought to provide our customers with a choice of airlines and destinations and this announcement is another major step in achieving this. We are pleased that the Airport has grown to such an extent that in 2009 we will be providing a quarter of all air capacity to the UK in a region that stretches from Derry to Kerry. The team at Ireland West Knock looks forward to working with Aer Lingus and key public and private sector stakeholders to ensure that this new partnership will support tourism and business interests and strengthen links between the two regions."

"Commenting on the announcement today, Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion said:  "We are very excited at this opportunity to grow our business in Europe's biggest aviation market and to extend our low-fares, quality offering to new travellers. We are offering consumers flights to top European business and leisure destinations at convenient times and competitive fares as part of a superior offering that sets us apart from our rivals. The Gatwick operation will complement our existing services out of London Heathrow, and position Aer Lingus for growth as we roll out new routes and bases in future years."

The Aer Lingus announcement has been warmly welcomed by a number of stakeholders in the region.  John Bourke, Proprietor Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway, and National Council Member of the Irish Hotels Federation said: "This new service and new airline brand is very welcome news for the West and for tourism interests across the western seaboard in particular. Britain is a key tourism market for the island of Ireland and these new Aer Lingus flights, with its interlining capabilities, will help provide a much needed boost in inbound tourism business to our industry. Ireland West Airport Knock plays a pivotal role in driving our region's tourism economy and will support a substantial tourism spend of €70 million in 2009. The Airport is to be congratulated for this wonderful achievement and for continuing to support and deliver tourism growth."

Fergal Broder, CEO of Lotusworks, Sligo, and Chairperson American Chamber of Commerce - North West Region, said: "I congratulate Ireland West Airport Knock for succeeding in introducing more flight choices and attracting a key player in the airline industry to our region. This latest news is a welcome boost in business connectivity to the London market and onwards worldwide for our commercial and industrial sectors. I also congratulate Aer Lingus on having the courage to expand and take up new opportunities in what is clearly a very difficult economic environment. The business community relies on competitive and convenient air access to sustain and grow trade and the facility at Ireland West Airport Knock is the key transport hub which enables this to happen for the North West."

Introductory Fares from just €19.99*!

Ireland West Knock - London Gatwick flight times depart from Gatwick at 13:05 arriving into Ireland West Knock at 14:40. Flights depart Ireland West Knock at 15:15, arriving into Gatwick at 16:50.  Flights will commence April 6th 2009 with seats going on sale today. For more information on fares and schedules and to book flights between London Gatwick and Ireland West Airport, log on to www.aerlingus.com or call Aer Lingus reservations at IRL: 0818 365000; N. IRL: 0870 8765000; or UK: 0870 8765000;  or book through your local travel agent. Special introductory fares will go on sale today starting from €19.99* one-way including taxes and charges!

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Aer Lingus History at Ireland West Airport Knock

1985        
October 25th: First flights from Ireland West Airport Knock are three Aer Lingus Boeing jet aircraft (737s and a 707) flying to Rome. The first airline ticket produced at the Airport was an Aer Lingus ticket for passenger Monsignor James Horan.

1989
Aer Lingus operates Dublin route.

1995 - 1999
Aer Lingus operates its regular Birmingham service.

Airline Background: Aer Lingus was founded by the Irish Government in April 1936 to provide air services to/from Ireland. On October 2nd 2006, Aer Lingus entered a new phase in its history with the airline's floatation on the Irish and London Stock Exchanges, becoming a publicly quoted company and realising €400 million in equity for the airline's future growth.

Aer Lingus' low-cost, low fares model is centred on maintaining low unit cost, offering one way fares, maintaining effective fleet utilisation and developing the Aer Lingus brand.

Code Shares: Aer Lingus code shares with American Airlines, British Airways and KLM. It is also partnered with New York-based airline JetBlue Airways. This partnership enables customers to book connecting flights between Ireland and over 25 US destinations via New York (JFK) in one transaction on aerlingus.com.

Gold Circle Club: Gold Circle Membership provides access to exclusive airport lounges, special reservation services and other benefits, such as advanced seat preferences and dedicated check-in areas.