Aer Lingus Regional launches new route to Dublin

• Airline returns to Leeds Bradford after 14 years;
• Airline aims to fly 70,000 passengers in first year
• Aer Lingus Regional offering double daily return service;
• New route offers convenient connection to transatlantic flights from Dublin;
• Flights from £29.99 now available on aerlingus.com.

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, announced today that it will offer direct double daily return flights between Leeds Bradford International Airport and Dublin Airport from 23 October 2014.  This is the first time in 14 years that the airline is returning to Leeds Bradford.

Aer Lingus Regional expects to carry up to 70,000 customers annually on the new route and will operate all services on the company’s brand new fleet of regional aircraft. All flights to/from Leeds Bradford will operate from Aer Lingus’ hub at Dublin Airport’s new Terminal 2, which houses the unique US Customs and Border Pre Clearance facility. 

The schedule will offer prime morning and evening flights to accommodate a day return for business passengers (see full schedule below).  One-way fares to Dublin start from as low as £29.99, including taxes and charges and are available now to book on aerlingus.com.

Passengers flying to Dublin can conveniently connect to Aer Lingus mainline transatlantic services to New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Franciso and Toronto.  Dublin Airport offers US-bound passengers 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. In Europe, only Dublin and Shannon airports offer this service.

 Equally, Aer Lingus business class passengers can avail of free Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights and beginning next year and also will benefit from superior beds on board.

Speaking at the announcement in Leeds Bradford International Airport today, Mr Julian Carr, Managing Director at Stobart Air said that the new route to Dublin represents a convenient, accessible and value for money choice for our customers.  

Mr Carr said: “We are delighted to return to Leeds Bradford to launch this route to Dublin.  We hope this service will continue to facilitate the long established Irish community which has thrived near the city centre of Leeds for nearly 200 years. Today’s announcement is part of the growth of our airline and reflects the ongoing success of our franchise partnership with Aer Lingus.

“Leeds and Bradford have thriving business communities. The availability of a double daily return service to the business capital in Ireland means our business passengers will benefit from a convenient schedule which accommodates a day return.  Dublin is home to some of the world’s most reputable multinationals such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, EMC and IBM.  For leisure passengers, the route provides convenient and efficient access to Dublin, Ireland’s tourism and cultural capital.

“For US bound customers, the Aer Lingus connection over Dublin, offers a new fastest journey time from Leeds to New York, at less than 10 hours and that includes the unique convenience of arriving in the US as a domestic, pre-cleared passenger....without doubt, the best way to the USA!’

“We look forward to working with Leeds Bradford International Airport in launching and developing this route for our customers from 23 October,” Mr Fagan concluded.

 John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Aer Lingus to Leeds Bradford. This announcement will provide increased choice for business and leisure passengers flying to the Dublin hub.

“In addition to introducing a business friendly schedule between the 2 growing city regions of Leeds and Dublin, the opportunity for passengers to connect to Aer Lingus expanding North American network will offer a wider range of connections across the US and Canada.

“Coupled with the excellent pre clearance facility in Terminal 2 at Dublin Aer Lingus new service will provide an alternative means of gaining quick access to a number of US gateways.

“We will also look forward to providing a warm Yorkshire welcome to an increasing number of inbound visitors from North America and Ireland who will now choose to use this service.”