Birmingham Airport boosted by new Irish routes
IRISH airlines Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have announced they are to introduce new flights in and out of Birmingham International Airport.
The direct service to Shannon from BIA marks the second phase of the airlines franchise agreement as they look to claw back business lost to low cost carriers.
The announcement comes just two months after the launch of franchise operations from Dublin and Cork.
From July 1, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide direct flights to Shannon from Birmingham six days per week with fares starting at £39.99 one-way including taxes.
Flights went on sale today (Wednesday).
The announcement has been welcomed in both the Midwest of Ireland and Birmingham with the new service adding even more direct links between Ireland and Britain.
Aer Arann also operates a direct service from Birmingham to Waterford in the south east of Ireland under its own operation.
Paul Schütz, Aer Arann chief executive, said: “We are delighted to launch the second phase of our franchise operations with Aer Lingus, including a direct link from Birmingham to the Midwest of Ireland.
“We are providing a unique product that combines the best of both Aer Arann and Aer Lingus and offers both business and leisure passengers a quality service with excellent frequency”.
Stephen Kavanagh, chief commercial officer at Aer Lingus, said Aer Lingus Regional services had enjoyed strong support from customers in the short time since its launch and the new service bode well for the continuing success of the venture.
Joe Kelly, BIA’s deputy chief executive, said: “There’s a strong Irish market in the Midlands and the Shannon service will be particularly popular with leisure travellers.”
Under the franchise agreement between the two airlines Aer Lingus Regional flights are operated by Aer Arann using its own ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew.
All franchise flights are sold and distributed through www.aerlingus.com. Aer Arann assumes full operational and commercial responsibility for the services covered by the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus receiving a franchise fee.
