Aer Lingus Regional launches new route to Manchester

Aer Lingus Regional has expanded its services to Manchester with the launch of its first flight from Dublin to Manchester today.

The airline, operated by Aer Arann, will now operate two daily return flights to Manchester from Dublin Airport and aims to fly up to 40,000 extra passengers on the route this year.

The airline aims to grow passenger numbers to 240,000 between Ireland and Manchester by the end of 2014.

Aer Arann’s Chief Commercial Officer, Simon Fagan said that the addition of this route means that there is now a "shuttle service" for business passenger flying between Ireland and Manchester.

Mr Fagan said: "‘We noticed that a large part of the 10% increase in passenger numbers last year were passengers flying for business between these two cities. With the launch of Dublin Manchester today we are now essentially providing a shuttle service with a flight going almost every two hours, both morning and evening - 18 flights a day between Manchester and Ireland."

"The additional flights will further facilitate connectivity to Aer Lingus services to the US, through Dublin. Manchester-based passengers can connect to the US via Dublin and avail of security and customs preclearance in Dublin airport - Ireland is the only country in Europe to offer passport and customs pre-clearance to US destinations.

Aer Arann operates 550 flights a week across 27 routes in Ireland, the UK and France.