Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight between Ireland West Airport Knock and London Heathrow departed on Sunday (March 26th) as flights EI916. The carrier has also resumed daily nonstop service between Dublin and Hartford, Connecticut in the U.S.
On Monday (March 27, 2023), Aer Lingus announced the start of new service between Ireland Airport West Airport in Knock and London-Heathrow. The inaugural flight (EI916), an Airbus A320, departed Knock at 13:05 on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Aer Lingus has also resumed direct daily service between Dublin International Airport and Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut in the U.S., a route exclusive to the airline. The first resumed flight to Hartford in over two years, EI131, an Airbus A321neoLR, also departed Dublin on Sunday. The A321neoLR is Aer Lingus’ most sustainable long-haul aircraft, offering a 20 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, as well as a nearly 50 percent smaller noise footprint, compared to previous generation aircraft.
In Monday’s announcement, Aer Lingus’ CEO, Lynn Embleton, said,
“The west of Ireland has much to offer as a tourist destination with the world renowned Wild Atlantic Way on its doorstep. Our new Knock-Heathrow service is an exciting new route for Aer Lingus and the region, bringing travellers from Great Britain right to the heart of the action. Equally, customers from the west of Ireland will now fly into London Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, and have the opportunity to travel onwards to cities all over the world.”
Also commenting on the launch of Knock-Heathrow service, Ireland West Airport’s Chairman, Arthur French, said,
“This is another proud day for the airport and the entire Western region. The hub status of Heathrow for business and leisure passengers to connect with the global marketplace is a major boost for this region with this new daily service opening up key onward connectivity, through one of Europe’s biggest hubs, to over 80 destinations worldwide. I have no doubt this new service will attract strong support from the region and overseas and we thank Aer Lingus for their continued commitment to the airport and West of Ireland region.”
Further commenting on the restart of service to Hartford, Aer Lingus’ CEO, Lynne Embleton, added,
“After more than two years it’s great to be back flying back to Hartford. Our daily flights, from and through Dublin, will bring travellers from Ireland, the UK and Europe into the centre of Connecticut which is home to global businesses and recognised as the insurance capital of the world. As the only European airline operating out of Hartford, we also offer a unique service to US passengers, flying them directly on our non-stop service to Dublin, and through our Dublin hub, connecting them onwards to the most popular UK and European destinations.”
Hartford is one of 16 U.S. destinations on offer by Aer Lingus for summer 2023, including new direct service to Cleveland, Ohio starting in May. Inbound customers from the U.S. to Dublin will also enjoy seamless onward connectivity to 28 UK and European destinations, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Prague and more.
Source: Aer Lingus