Aer Lingus expands Cork operations with new Newcastle route

Aer Lingus Regional is to launch a new route from Cork to Newcastle as part of an expansion of services from Cork Airport, it was announced today.

The airline, operated by Aer Arann, it expects to grow total passenger numbers from Cork to over 300,000 by the end of 2014, an increase of 20%.

The new Newcastle route will have four weekly services, while expanded services on other UK routes including Cork to Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham have also been announced, increasing the number flights between the UK and Cork to 174 per week.

There will also be a doubling of capacity of flights to Rennes, in northern France from early June.

As part of a €35m investment, two brand new Aer Lingus Regional aircraft will be based in Cork from April to service the expanded routes.

“Our decision to move ahead with expansion in Cork is directly related to the recent Government decision to abolish the travel tax, and is further evidence that sound policies can contribute to solid growth," said Aer Arann's Simon Fagan.

"The addition of a new service to Newcastle and increasing of our capacity on three key routes from Cork, provides real choice to the travelling public, and will serve to bring further visitors to the region."