Aer Arann, Ireland’s premier regional airline, today announced, that it is to increase frequency on its Cork-Dublin route, from seven flights to nine flights per day for the Winter schedule, effective from 27th October 2003.
 As well as the Dublin route, Aer Arann flies direct from Cork to Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton. The airline has two 66 seater ATR72 aircraft dedicated to the Cork operation and projects that it will carry over 280,000 passengers on its Cork routes during 2003.
The airline recently announced its intention to base 20 staff at Cork including 14 pilots and eight cabin-crew, who will service the 24 daily flights, across the five routes, the airline currently operates out of Cork.
Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann said, “As we currently enjoy 70% market share on the Cork-Dublin route we are exceptionally well positioned to continue providing a high quality and efficient service for passengers when our enhanced service commences in October. The increased frequency on the route for Winter 2003, is further testament to our commitment to business and leisure passengers in the Cork region and we look forward to continued route expansion from Cork in the future”.
Aer Arann reinforces commitment to Cork with establishment of business base
Aer Arann, Ireland’s premier regional airline, announced, that it is to establish its first base in Cork since it commenced services there in March 2000. This will result in over 20 staff based in Cork – 14 pilots and eight cabin crew – and two 66 seater ATR72 aircraft dedicated to the Cork operation. The staff are a combination of new recruits from the Cork area and a number of relocations from Dublin.
 The aircraft and staff will service 24 daily flights across the five routes the airline currently operates out of Cork. As well as the Dublin route, Aer Arann flies direct from Cork to Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton and projects that it will carry over 260,000 passengers on its Cork routes during 2003. One of the longest established Irish airlines to fly out of Cork, Aer Arann currently services more routes from Cork to the UK than any other carrier.
Commenting on the announcement, Padraig O’Ceidigh, Managing Director, Aer Arann said, “Ongoing and sustained growth in our Cork based business has necessitated the creation of a base of operationour first businessstaff base here. We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Cork and I’d like to pay tribute to the team at Cork airport and our loyal passengers in the south west, who have shown tremendous levels of support to Aer Arann over the years. We continue to be committed, in the longterm, to our Cork based business - basing 25% of our fleet and some key members of staff there is testament to this - and look forward to continued route expansion from Cork in the future”.
John Smyth, Marketing Manager, Cork Airport, “Aer Arann has been a great success story for Cork Airport, increasing from one service with four flights per day in May 2002 to five routes with 24 flights per day in Summer 2003. We welcome their announcement of a staff base in Cork and will continue to work with Padraig and his team to further develop their Cork network.”
Waterford-London Luton service officially launched by Minister Cullen as encouraging passenger figures are reported
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Martin Cullen TD, today (July 14, 2003) officially launched a daily service connecting the South East Regional Airport (Waterford) and London Luton.
The daily return flights provided by Aer Arann, Ireland’s premier regional airline, have been operational since June 9th and in its first five weeks the service recorded a load factor of 68 per cent with an average of 33 passengers per flight. The airline also reports that advance bookings for July and August are encouraging. The service is provided using a 48-seater ATR42 aircraft which leaves London Luton at 1.05pm and Waterford at 3pm each day and has an average journey time of under 90 minutes. Return fares start at €129 including taxes and charges.
Speaking at the official launch of the service, Minister Cullen recalled how the airport – located in his Waterford constituency - was first granted its full flying wings just over 21 years ago in March 1982 when the then Department of Transport and Power sanctioned a licence for international flights, news that coincided with an announcement by Avair Ltd that a twice-weekly mid-day scheduled service between Dublin and Waterford was to commence with return tickets priced from £46 (€58.42).
“While the Waterford-Dublin service began 21 years ago, Waterford’s first international scheduled air service left this airport for London Gatwick on Monday, July 8th, 1985 – just over 18 years ago so the airport could be said to be coming of age in 2003. After a period during which much genuine concern was expressed about the airport’s future, I was delighted in April of this year to announce a €1.185 million funding package from the Department of Transport and the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources to secure that future,” Minister Cullen told local business and political leaders at a reception in the airport.
“On the same day in April we had the announcement that Aer Arann, one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Europe, would provide daily services linking Waterford and the south-east with London Luton. The airline’s managing director, Padraig O’Ceidigh, has built a very successful business from a small but sound base and I have no doubt but that Aer Arann is the airline best positioned to manage and develop passenger services from this airport – whether these are to the UK or other domestic airports. I wish them and the airport continued success and encourage all those in the south-east to think local when it comes to air travel; not least because of the excellent onward connections available from London Luton.”
 Commenting on demand for the service to date, Padraig O’Ceidigh, managing director, Aer Arann said, “We are delighted with the support the Waterford-London Luton route has received to date from travellers in the south-east and the efforts of Nicky Fewer and his team at the South East Regional Airport are to be commended in this regard. This route, together with recently launched services from Dublin, Galway and Cork, consolidates our strategic commitment to delivering necessary air access from the regional airports of Ireland to key urban centres in the UK.”
Welcoming Minister Cullen and Mr O’Ceidigh to the South East Regional Airport (Waterford), the airport chairperson Mr Nicky Fewer said that both deserved considerable credit for the energies they had devoted to securing the airport’s future and to promoting the new passenger service.
“Minister Cullen devoted considerable time and effort earlier this year to securing the funding package he announced at the airport in April and without his efforts the outlook would have been very bleak. For their part, Padraig O’Ceidigh and his team at Aer Arann have brought great energy and professionalism to bear in terms both of providing the London Luton service and marketing it here and in the UK."
“I would echo Mr Cullen’s rallying call to all leisure and business travellers in the south-east to think local when planning any overseas trips. As well as providing swift access to London and the south-east of England the new daily service can act as a very effective air bridge allowing a host of European destinations to be accessed quickly and affordably via London Luton. Alicante, Madrid, Barcelona, Nice, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Athens, Lanzarote/Arrecife, Naples, Faro and Thesalonika are just some of the holiday destinations that it is now possible to reach with minimal stress and delay.”
Mr Fewer also pointed out the immense potential of the new service in terms of marketing the south-east of Ireland as a tourism destination. “Approximately seven million people live within a 60-minute drive of London Luton Airport so the Aer Arann service provides the tourism industry in the south-east with access to a huge pool of potential visitors. I would encourage those in tourism to do all they can to tap in to this market; especially given the current downturn in visitor numbers.”
Aer Arann Announces One Millionth Passenger and Invests EUR500K in New Corporate Livery
Aer Arann, Ireland’s premier regional airline, has announced that it had carried its one millionth passenger across its seven domestic and nine UK routes. The airline also unveiled its new logo and corporate livery at the announcement.
With a staff of 260 and a turnover currently in excess of EUR60 million, Aer Arann is one of the world’s fastest growing regional airlines . The airline experienced a 68% increase in passenger numbers last year and currently flies more passengers in a week than it did throughout the entire year in 1999, its second year of operation. Passenger numbers of 650,000 are projected for the twelve months to end of 2003, an increase of 59%.
This year, Aer Arann reinstated services on the Sligo and Donegal PSO routes and launched new routes from Waterford to London Luton, Galway to Manchester, Isle of Man to Dublin and Glasgow Prestwick. A Dublin-Belfast service will commence later this month. The airline also recently added a new 66-seater aircraft to its fleet to provide additional capacity on its existing routes, bringing its aircraft total to eight – five 48 seater ATR42’s and three 66 seater ATR72’s.
Commenting on the announcement Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann said; “Our one millionth passenger represents a significant milestone for Aer Arann. The success the business has experienced, further strengthens our commitment to our simple low cost business model, focussed on connecting regional communities. We’ve taken this milestone as an opportunity to roll-out our new livery, which retains the strong brand awareness and heritage associated with Aer Arann, but contemporises and freshens the brand for new audiences. The new logo and livery, will, we believe, serve us very well as we continue to enter into new markets”.
Aer Arann has invested EUR500K in the development, roll-out and promotion of the new corporate logo and livery, which is being introduced on a phased basis over the summer months. The new logo will be supported with a comprehensive TV, print and radio campaign in the Irish and UK markets. Aer Arann’s MD, Padraig O’Ceidigh was, earlier this week, honoured at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo.
Padraig O’Ceidigh, Managing Director of Aer Arann was honoured by a jury of his global peers, at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, held in Monte Carlo at the weekend.
O’Ceidigh competed with world class entrepreneurs from 25 other countries for the prestigious World Entrepreneur of the Year title, now recognised as one of the most influential business awards in the world. Named as Irish Entrepreneur of the Year last September, O’Ceidigh has steered Aer Arann from its position as a small Irish domestic carrier to one of Europe’s fastest growing regional airlines with a turnover in excess of EUR60 million.
Speaking at the Awards, O’Ceidigh stated “Being awarded the Irish Entrepreneur of the Year title and given the opportunity to be showcased at the World Awards is about much more than a trophy or a title. Participation in the program has also tangibly benefited the business, both from the provision of practical support and counsel, through to networking opportunities with entrepreneurs in other markets, for tangible commercial benefit. My role as the Irish Entrepreneur of the Year is also one in which I take a huge amount of pride and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my team, without whose support I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity”.
Mr Narayana Murthy, Chairman of Infosys Technologies from India was eventually named as World Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Collectively, the 26 contending business leaders employ more than 76,000 people in more than 30 countries and generate combined revenues of EUR6.5 billion. The industries in which the finalists operate include aviation, yacht building, cosmetics manufacturing, IT services provision, specialist pharmaceuticals and shoe retailing.
"As the Irish Entrepreneur of the Year, Padraig carries on a proud tradition sustained over the last six years by past winners from Denis O’Brien, to Moya Doherty and Eddie Jordan. Padraig O’Ceidigh has been an immensely worthy torchbearer, both for Irish entrepreneurialism and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and we’ve been hugely honoured to have him represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Awards” said Enda Kelly, Partner, Entrepreneur Excellerator Team, Ernst & Young.
Galway - Manchester & Waterford - Luton services take off
Today, Monday 9th June 2003, Aer Arann, commenced its new services from Galway - Manchester and Waterford - London Luton. The airline will provide one return flight per day on each of the new routes. Return fares start from EUR 129 / GBP 99, including taxes.
The Galway - Manchester flight departs Galway daily at 1900 (1810 on Sundays) and arraives into Manchester at 2030 (1925 on Sundays). The return flight departs Manchester at 2055 (1955 on Sundays) and lands in Galway at 2210 (2110 on Sundays). The Waterford - Luton service departs Waterford daily at 1500, while the return flight departs Luton at 1305. The new services will be operated by an ATR42 aircraft.
Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann said; ‘‘Aer Arann has made significant progress in expanding routes between Ireland and the UK. By mid June, we will be operating nine routes between Ireland and the UK, with a fleet of 8 ATR aircraft. We are delighted to be providing necessary air access from the regional airports of Ireland linking them with cities in the UK such as Manchester and Luton, which we have identified substantial demand for in the marketplace’’.
Flights can be booked online at www.aerarann.com. Terms & conditions apply.
March 2003
Aer Arann, Ireland's premier regional airline, today commenced two new daily services from the Isle of Man to Dublin and Glasgow Prestwick Airports. The airline will provide one flight per day to each destination, from Isle of Man Airport to cater for business and leisure passengers.
With fares from £59 return the 25-minute Dublin flight will depart Isle of Man Airport at 1330 midweek and 1645 on Sunday. The return flights will depart Dublin Airport at 0930 midweek and 1330 on Sunday. The 45-minute Glasgow Prestwick flight will depart Isle of Man Airport at 1030 midweek and 1430 on Sunday with the return flight departing Glasgow Prestwick at 1215 midweek and 1540.
These routes represent two of five new Aer Arann services all of which will be operated by an ATR42 aircraft.
Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann said; '' Aer Arann has made significant progress in expanding its business in the UK market. By mid June, we will be operating nine routes between Ireland and the UK and seven within Ireland, with a fleet of eight ATR aircraft. We are delighted to be offering these two new direct routes from the Isle of Man and have identified substantial demand in the marketplace for these services''.
May 2003
. Airline also adds new aircraft to its fleet to increase capacity on existing routes
Aer Arann, Ireland's premier regional airline, today announced an additional four new UK routes, projecting that the new routes would add an extra 85,000 to its passenger numbers this year. The new routes include Waterford to Luton and Galway to Manchester commencing on 9th June and Dublin to the Isle of Man and Isle of Man to Glasgow Prestwick commencing on 21st May 2003.
The airline will also be adding a new 66 seater aircraft to its fleet to provide additional capacity on its existing
Cork-Dublin, Edinburgh and Birmingham routes. The new aircraft brings the airline's fleet to eight - five 48 seater ATR42's and three 66 seater ATR72's.
 With return fares from EUR129 (incl. tax) to Luton and Manchester and EUR 79 (incl. tax) on the Isle of Man, Aer Arann Express will
provide one flight per day to each destination . The airline currently operates five routes to the UK, as well as providing services to eight Irish airports. Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann said, "the provision of an additional four UK routes confirms the significant progress Aer Arann Express has made in expanding our business in the UK market, while our new 66 seater aircraft will allow us to increase capacity on some of our busiest routes and maintain the high service standards that our customers have come to expect from us".
For information on other fare offers log on to www.aerarann.com or contact reservations on 1890 46 27 26 (within Ireland) or 0800 587 23 24 (within UK)
Pictured: Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann.
35 New jobs announced through creation of passenger handling operation. New Handling Division Represents EUR 3 Million Investment For Airline
Aer Arann, Ireland's premier regional airline, has announced the creation of 35 new jobs following a EUR 3M investment in setting up its own passenger handling division at Dublin Airport. The jobs to be created by 1st May 2003 will offer opportunities for supervisors, customer service agents and dispatchers.
The new passenger handling division, which will begin operations at Dublin Airport from June 1st, will manage the airlines check-in, boarding, dispatch and baggage handling functions. The airline currently employs 220 people to service it's six internal and five UK routes.
Commenting on the announcement, Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager, Aer Arann, said; ''The creation of a passenger handling division and subsequent 35 new jobs comes as the result of our continued success and expansion as one of Europe's fastest growing regional airlines. With over 300 flights a week and projected passenger numbers of almost 600,000 for 2003, the creation of our handling operation will allow us to ensure that the high levels of quality service customers have come to expect from Aer Arann are maintained".
Pictured left: Aer Arann MD, Padraig O' Ceidigh and Commercial Manager, Jennifer Mooney.
March 2003
Aer Arann Predicts Over 10,000 Passengers For Direct Service. Aer Arann pulls out the stops on Cork to Southampton route
Aer Arann, Ireland's premier regional airline, today announced the introduction of a new direct summer service from Cork to Southampton, predicting it will carry over 10,000 passengers on the route during the summer period.
The new direct service which commences from May 12th - October 25th 2003, will reduce journey times for Southampton passengers, as previously they had a twenty minute stopover in Bristol.
With fares from 109 return, the direct service will depart Cork Airport at 1200 noon midweek arriving at 1.30 pm. The return flight will depart Southampton at 2.00pm arriving in Cork at 3.30pm. The service will be operated on an ATR42 48 seater aircraft.
The company also announced an increase in capacity on the Cork to Bristol service for Summer 2003, which will be operated using a 66 seater ATR72 aircraft and will depart Cork at 10.45am arriving at 12.05pm Monday to Friday. The return flight will depart Bristol at 12.35pm and arrive at 1.50pm.
Commenting on the announcement Jennifer Mooney, Commercial Manager for Aer Arann said "We are delighted to be offering a direct service to Southampton and increasing our capacity on the Bristol service for Summer 2003. We have identified substantial demand in the marketplace for both services and look forward to further growing and developing our routes from Cork over the coming months".
Passengers can avail of summer saver return fares from 109 including tax. This fare can only be booked online at www.aerarann.com until 18th May 2003 and is valid for travel until 31st May 2003. Terms & conditions apply.
March 2003
Aer Arann celebrates PSO contract win with €25 fares
Airline to resume Sligo and Donegal services from 3rd March
To celebrate its success in winning the PSO contract for Donegal and Sligo, Aer Arann will be offering fares of €25 each way on all flights on both routes throughout the month of March.
Services will commence on both routes on Monday, 3rd March 2003, operating two roundtrips per day on Sligo and one roundtrip per day on Donegal. This service will increase to two flights per day for the summer season.
Commenting on the announcement Padraig O’Ceidigh, Managing Director said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to operate Donegal and Sligo. Having previously operated both routes, we are exceptionally well positioned to provide an excellent service to the North West region. In the past four years we have shown our commitment to developing air access to the regions of Ireland and the UK and will continue to work with the local communities to develop these routes. ”
From April 2003 fares will be priced from €73 return. For detailed fare and schedule information visit www.skyroad.com, call reservations on 1890 46 27 26 or contact your local travel agent. All fares are inclusive of tax.
February 2003
New Year Fares. Great New Year fares launched on aerarann.com
Aer Arann Express, the fastest growing regional airline in Europe, today 8th January 2003, announced the introduction of great value low fares within Ireland and from Cork to the UK.
Passengers can now fly direct from Cork to Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and Edinburgh from as little as €99 / £69 return including tax and from Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Galway and Knock from €69 return including tax.
Commenting on the announcement Jennifer Mooney, Marketing Manager for Aer Arann Express said “To celebrate the start of the New Year we are offering our passengers great value low fares within Ireland and from Cork to the UK. With fares from as little as €99 / £69 return between Cork and the UK and €69 return within Ireland there has never been a better time to make a break for it.”
Why not beat the winter blues and take a stroll around Edinburgh Castle, visit the sales in Birmingham, take a trip to the new forest near Southampton or enjoy the nightlife in the vibrant city of Bristol! Alternatively, take a break from the traffic at home and fly from Dublin to Cork, Kerry, Galway or Knock!
These great value fares can only be booked online at www.skyroad.com until 31st March 2003. All travel must be completed by 11th April 2003. Terms & conditions apply.
For information on other great low fare offers log on to skyroad.com – your highway to lower fares or contact reservations on 1890 46 27 26 (locall from within Ireland) or 0800 587 23 24 (freephone from UK)
January 2003
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