Ireland West Airport Knock has welcomed 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 interlinking capabilities connecting business interests and tourism traffic in both directions. It will add an additional 127,000 annual seat capacity at Ireland West Airport Knock, increasing its share of the Irish regional market to the UK to almost 20 per cent.
Aer Lingus will commence the daily service to London Gatwick, the tenth busiest airport in the world, on April 6 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 interlinking 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, 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-fare, 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.”
Introductory fares from just €19.99
Ireland West Knock – London Gatwick flight times depart from Gatwick at 1.05pm arriving into Ireland West Knock at 2.40pm. Flights depart Ireland West Knock at 3.15pm, arriving into Gatwick at 4.50pm. Flights will commence April 6 2009 with seats going on sale from last Friday December 19. For more information on fares and schedules and to book flights between London Gatwick and Ireland West Airport, log onto www.aerlingus.com or call Aer Lingus reservations at 0818 365000 or book through your local travel agent. Special introductory fares will go on sale starting from €19.99 one-way including taxes and charges.
