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New routes as part of Aer Arann expansion  NEW
routes will be announced over the coming weeks from Cork, Waterford and
Galway airports as Irish airline Aer Arann continues a massive expansion
programme.
The airline said it will operate flights to Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Malaga
and Faro from Waterford and Galway airports and over the next few weeks
it will announce new routes from Cork to Brest in Brittany as well as
another to Northern France.
The airline is also close to finalising other routes from Waterford and
Galway — some of which could service locations in Britain.
The new routes from Waterford and Galway will come into effect on May
1 and will see an extra 100,000 passengers fly with Aer Arann annually.
Commercial director Fergal Barry said: “Depending on the uptake
of the new routes we will consider adding frequencies in the future.
“There will be some low fares on the routes.
“For example the introductory one-way fare on the Waterford to Amsterdam
route will cost e80 all-inclusive.”
He said they expect the new routes — which have created 20 new jobs
— to add about 10 per cent to its e100million turnover.
Mr Barry also said there is no doubt the new flights to Amsterdam will
help fill the gap left by the cancellation of the Aer Lingus Shannon to
Heathrow route.
The Irish airline is also investing in the development of its Cork to
Dublin route which it said is an important part of its future plans.
The airline recently came under fire from the Cork Chamber for rescheduling
its late route from Dublin to Cork from 10.45pm to 8pm but Mr Barry said
the airline is fully committed to the Cork to Dublin route adding it has
a loyal customer base.
He said: “We have a positive relationship with Cork Chamber and
many of our passengers on the Cork to Dublin route would be corporate
travellers.
“The route is like any other for us. If it is not proving to be
profitable we will have to consider its future.
“But at the moment it is making sense for us and we need the support
of organisations like the Cork Chamber to make sure it works.”
He added that the route is over-supplied, with Ryanair operating five
daily services from Cork to Dublin but said Aer Arann is planning to invest
in improving its product on offer.
The airline also recently signed an agreement with Aer Lingus which means
passengers can book long-haul flights from Cork with Aer Lingus but will
use Aer Arann to fly to Dublin.
This agreement will come into effect at the end of the month. |
