Aer Lingus to operate new Dublin to Indianapolis route

New route to the mid-west region will commence in May 2025

Celebrating the announcement were Leah Duffy Stevenson, Senior Cabin Crew Member, and Oisin Leong, Customer Experience Instructor. Aer Lingus will offer Indianapolis’ only direct flight to Europe.Photo: Naoise Culhane. No Fee 21st Oct 2024

Aer Lingus will operate a new transatlantic route between Dublin and Indianapolis, a major business hub in the mid-west region of the US.

The route, operated by the airline's Airbus A321XLR aircraft, will commence on May 3 2025 and will be the only direct route between Indianapolis and Europe.

The route has seen a steady increase in passengers following the expansion of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lily across Ireland. In September, the company, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, announced that it would invest more than €1.6bn to expand its manufacturing footprint in Ireland as it ramps up production capacity across its Cork and Limerick sites.

“With Indianapolis’ vibrant industries and rich cultural heritage, and Dublin’s strategic position as a gateway to Europe, this new route will facilitate partnerships and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic," said Lynne Embleton, chief executive of Aer Lingus.

The new route between Indianapolis and Dublin will foster closer economic and business ties between Ireland and the United States mid-west, the airline said.

“Reopening a much-needed and frequently requested transatlantic route will once again open new opportunities for business and leisure alike," said Governor of Indiana, Eric J. Holcomb. 

"The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and Aer Lingus make an excellent connection," said Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez. "With customs preclearance in Dublin, Irish travellers can begin to experience everything Indianapolis has to offer the moment they arrive in the United States."

The addition of the Indianapolis route follows the announcement last month of Nashville, Tennessee, bringing the total number of Aer Lingus routes from Dublin to North America to nineteen.