Aer Lingus unveils new Faro route
7/2/2009
Aer Lingus has announced two new daily flights from Faro to London Gatwick, the airline’s latest base and its first outside Ireland, which will be launched in April 2009.
Its new London Gatwick base plus the two new daily flights will position Aer Lingus for profitable growth within Europe’s largest aviation market, as well as boosting its presence in Portugal.
Commencing April 26th, 2009 Aer Lingus will operate twice a day between Faro and London Gatwick using an Airbus A320, and with fares from only €29.99, including taxes and charges.
Aer Lingus already offers services from Faro to Dublin, Cork and Belfast and from Lisbon to Dublin and Cork.
Aisling Lyons, Aer Lingus Sales Manager for Spain, Portugal, Finland and Morocco, told The Portugal News “It is a major step forward for the company as it brings the Aer Lingus brand to a whole new market”.
Many may not be aware how large the company’s route network to Ireland has become in recent years, currently flying ten times a week from Lisbon to Dublin. The airline also flies from Lisbon to Cork three times a week (a new route to be launched March 14th), Faro-Dublin twice a day, every day, Faro-Cork four times a week, and Faro-Belfast four times a week.
Commenting on the announcement last week, 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-fares, 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”, he said.
Aer Lingus will initially locate four Airbus A320 short-haul aircraft at Gatwick from April 2009, and will operate services to Faro, Malaga, Munich, Nice, Vienna, Dublin, Knock and Zurich. Within 12 months the new base is expected to grow to eight aircraft with the potential for up to 2.5 million passengers a year. A capacity of 150,000 seats has been allocated on the new route from Faro this year.
In the first year, with a total investment of £100m (€114 million), over 120 new jobs will be created directly through local recruitment of pilots and cabin crew, which is expected to grow as more aircraft are deployed to the base.
Gatwick Airport is located 30 minutes from London Victoria and has access to the capital’s Underground network, as well as direct connections to other London rail stations.
It also has extensive rail connections across the southeast of England. The airport is Aer Lingus’ second base outside the Republic of Ireland, following the opening of Belfast International Airport (BFS) in 2007.
Source : The Portugal News
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