New flights launched from LBIA
AER Lingus Regional has launched new flights to Dublin from Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA).
The airline, operated by Stobart Air, will offer direct double daily return flights between Leeds Bradford International Airport and Dublin Airport from next month. Passengers flying to Dublin can also connect to Aer Lingus mainline transatlantic services to New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Franciso and Toronto.
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.
LBIA aviation development director, Tony Hallwood, said: “This is fulfilling our strategy of delivering more routes and the States is our largest trading partner, so this provides inward investment opportunities and links for growth for the Yorkshire economy.We are successfully providing an airline to our biggest market.
“We have an airline here which is willing to grow and deliver more services, so we will be working very hard with them.”
Julian Carr, managing director at Stobart Air, said: “We are delighted to return to Leeds Bradford to launch this route to Dublin. Leeds Bradford has been on our radar for a long time and the announcement is part of the growth of our airline and reflects the on-going success of our franchise partnership with Aer Lingus.
“We are hopeful we can continue to strengthen our offering here. The desire is very much to not just rest on our laurels. We can also explore other Irish cities.”
This is the first time in 14 years that the airline is returning to Leeds Bradford.
John Parkin, chief executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport, said:
“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 two 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.
“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.”
