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Minister Mary O' Rourke TD launches Kerry-Dublin Aer Arann Express Route
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O' Rourke TD today (1st June 2001) launched the Aer Arann Express Kerry-Dublin route at Kerry Airport. The Minister flew in to Kerry Airport early this morning to officiate at the event alongside Padraig O' Ceidigh, MD of Aer Arann Express and Denis Cregan, Chairman of Kerry Airport.
A fourth daily flight between Kerry and Dublin was also introduced today to cater for business travellers. The Monday to Friday service will depart from Dublin at 5pm and arrive in Kerry at 6pm. It will depart from Kerry at 6.30pm to arrive in Dublin at 7.30pm. The return fares will range from 57* to 97 with a single fare of 55.
Padraig O' Ceidigh, Managing Director of Aer Arann Express said, "We are delighted with the Minister's attendance at today's launch and with the support that we have received from the local community on the introduction of the fourth daily flight. Aer Arann Express is deeply committed to the Kerry-Dublin route and to the development of frequent and efficient regional air services."
Denis Cregan, Chairman of Kerry Airport said, "We are honoured to welcome the Minister to Kerry Airport to officially launch the Kerry-Dublin route and the fourth daily flight. We are confident that these initiatives will both complement the current services and attract a whole range of new customers to use Kerry Airport".
* The 57 return fare is subject to availability and includes a Saturday or two night stay which is non-refundable.
June 2001
Series of offers launched
Aer Arann Express has introduced a series of exciting offers for passengers. Those traveling within Ireland can now avail of a new, great value €73 return fare on Aer Arann Express domestic flights to and from Dublin, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Knock and Sligo.*
Aer Arann Express are also offering business people the chance to "fly through the traffic" on their new early morning flights on the Dublin to Kerry route and the Dublin to Galway route. The Dublin to Kerry flight leaves at 7.45am seven days a week and arrives into Kerry at 8.45am and the Dublin to Galway flight leaves at 7.30am Monday to Friday and arrives in Galway at 8.15am. So, if your time is precious and you don't want to spend it sitting in traffic, travel in comfort with Aer Arann Express!
Aer Arann Express are also continuing to offer their very popular Fly-Break Specials from €125pps which includes return flights and two nights B&B hotel accommodation. Fly-Break Specials are offered on the Kerry, Galway, Sligo, Donegal and Knock routes. This special offer from the regions to Dublin starts at €150pps.
Jennifer Mooney, Sales & Marketing Manager for Aer Arann Express said "These special offers and new early flights are a direct result of positive feedback being received from customers using our routes. We are very pleased with the support shown to Aer Arann Express and these new initiatives are just some of the many ways we intend to let our customers know that we are constantly striving to enhance the services we offer."
* This new fare is subject to limited availability and a minimum of a two-night stay, or a Saturday night stay, and is sold on a first come-first served basis.
August 2001
Aircraft upgrade program complete
Aer Arann Express has now extended the popular 50-seater ATR42 aircraft on all of its routes, resulting in greater passenger comfort and shorter flight times across the network.
These ATR42 jet-propeller aircraft have replaced the Shorts 360 aircraft that have serviced Aer Arann Express' routes since March 1998.
Dublin-Kerry and Dublin-Galway passengers were the first to experience the ATR42 when it was introduced onto both routes in January. In April, the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Sheffield routes were upgraded from the 36-seater Shorts 360, to the 50-seater ATR42. More recently, the Dublin-Donegal, Dublin-Sligo and Dublin-Knock routes were upgraded, thus completing the upgrade program.
Since its introduction into service in 1985, the ATR 42 turboprop aircraft has become renowned in the global air transport industry for reliability and efficiency. It is also a best seller in its class. The aircraft provides passengers with a similar cabin environment to that of large jet airliners, combining wide aisles with generous headroom and spacious overhead luggage bins. This 50-seater aircraft is specifically designed to provide efficient and comfortable transportation on short-haul routes, making it an ideal addition to the Aer Arann Express fleet.
Commenting on the upgrade program, Managing Director of Aer Arann Express, Padraig O' Ceidigh said, "We are very committed to developing and enhancing all of our services and the introduction of the ATR42 aircraft on all routes will give greater comfort to our valued passengers. We currently operate four of these aircrafts and plan to take delivery of our fifth in the coming months."
September 2001
Aer Arann Express launch countywide art competition
Aer Arann Express today (October 17th 2001) launched an innovative countywide art competition. All national schools in Co. Sligo have been invited to participate in this initiative, which commemorates the two-year anniversary of Aer Arann Express on the Sligo - Dublin route.
Children from first to sixth class are asked to paint of picture of the new Aer Arann Express aircraft with a Christmas theme. The style has been largely left to their imagination.
The winning entry will grace the cover of the Aer Arann Express Christmas Card, being sent to individuals, companies and dignitaries throughout Ireland and Europe. The winner will also receive 2 return tickets on the Sligo - Dublin route for themselves and for their teacher. Art sets will be presented to the winner and the two runners up.
Commenting on the initiative, Jennifer Mooney, Marketing Manager, Aer Arann Express said: "We are delighted to be celebrating our two-year anniversary on the Sligo - Dublin route and we wanted to mark the occasion by doing something a little different. This art competition allows children to communicate their impressions of flying in a fun and creative way and it also gives us an opportunity to get more involved with the local community. We are very committed to growing the Sligo-Dublin route and we will be introducing several new promotions in the months to come."
A selection of paintings will be displayed at Sligo Airport for the duration of the competition. The closing date for entries is November 21st. The prize-giving ceremony will take place at Sligo Airport on December 4th.
October 2001
Aer Arann Express extends fourth Kerry flight
Aer Arann Express today (Friday 5th October 2001) confirmed that the fourth flight on the Dublin - Kerry route would continue to operate for the winter/spring schedule. This extra flight was introduced on 1st June 2001, to satisfy demand for the busy summer months.
Under the PSO contract, awarded by the Department of Public Enterprise in December 2000, Aer Arann Express is obligated to provide just three daily flights on the route. The fourth flight is an independent commercial venture by Aer Arann Express and has proven to be a huge success, both for the airline and for the Kerry region.
Commenting on the announcement, Padraig O'Ceidigh, Managing Director, Aer Arann Express said; "The Dublin - Kerry route has seen consistent growth since we began operation in January 2001. It is the most successful route on our network in terms of passenger numbers and we are delighted to be in a position to extend our extensive schedule into the winter and spring. We are confident that the route will continue to be a huge success."
The evening flight will depart Dublin at the earlier time of 1655 arriving in Kerry at 1755. The return flight will depart Kerry at 1815 and arrive in Dublin at 1915. Return fares range from 57.00 to 97.00.
Flight and accommodation packages have also been introduced on the route, which include return flights and 2 B&B. These packages range from 119pps midweek and 139pps at weekends. Hotels are available in both Kerry and Dublin and with an average flight time of only thirty-five minutes, flying to and from the capital has never been easier.
October 2001
Day return fare of £29 introduced on Knock - Dublin route
Aer Arann Express have announced that they would be introducing a £29 return fare on the Knock - Dublin route.
The airline, which began operating a daily air service from Knock to Dublin last January, is offering this great value fare from Wednesday 21st November until Thursday 20th December 2001. The daily flight departs Knock Airport at 0715 (Monday to Friday) and at 1000 (Saturdays and Sundays). The return flight departs Dublin at 1830 and arrives back in Knock at 1915. A 50-seater pressurised aircraft services the route and flight time to Dublin is just 35 minutes.
Commenting on the promotion, Jennifer Mooney, Marketing Manager, Aer Arann Express said: " The interest in our daily service from Knock to Dublin has been relatively poor since its launch in January. In response to this, one of our initiatives was the introduction of a superior 50-seater aircraft onto the route, reducing the flight time to just 35 minutes. To complement this positive step, we are introducing this rock-bottom fare of 29 return in order that the commuting public can experience the advantages of domestic air travel, for less ."
This return fare of 29 is the most competitive ever introduced by Aer Arann Express and 50% of the seats from Knock to Dublin will be made available at this price for the duration of this promotion. The fare is valid for day returns from Knock only and no changes or refunds are allowed. All reservations for this offer must be made directly with Aer Arann Express on locall 1890 46 27 26. There is a two day advance purchase on the fare, children's discount does not apply and the fare does not include the £6 Knock Airport Development Fee.
November 2001
Aer Arann Express announce winner of art competition
Aer Arann Express is delighted to announce that Greta Reintjes (pictured here on right) from 6th class in Ransboro National School is the winner of the Sligo National Schools Christmas art competition. The winning painting is being used on the cover of the Aer Arann Express Christmas Card for 2001 and will be sent to individuals, companies and dignitaries throughout Ireland and Europe.
As the overall winner, Greta and her teacher Damian Quinn will receive 2 return tickets on the Sligo - Dublin route. Art sets were also presented to Greta and the runners up in the competition by Captain Sean Flanagan (pictured here left). They were Leanne Dunne from 1st class in St. Mary's National School (pictured here right) and Ellen Hunt Maguire from 4th class in Cliffoney National School, (pictured here middle).
The art competition was launched in October to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Aer Arann Express on the Sligo - Dublin route and all national schools in Co. Sligo were asked to participate. Children from first to sixth class were asked to paint of picture of the new Aer Arann Express 50 seater aircraft with a Christmas theme.
Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Marketing Manager, Aer Arann Express said: "We were delighted with the response to the competition and we would like to thank all the pupils who participated. There was a very high standard and it was difficult to narrow it down to three. However, Greta's entry caught our eye immediately, as we liked the way she captured the aircraft and the Christmas theme, particularly the Reindeer, so in the end it was a unanimous decision for myself and the other judges. A selection of all the paintings are currently on display at Sligo Airport and are well worth a visit"
The official prize-giving ceremony will take place at Sligo Airport on Thursday 20th December.
December 2001 |
