New York mayor hails flights alliance

THE mayor of New York paid a flying visit to Mayo yesterday to hail the first direct flights between Knock Airport and the Big Apple.

The three-times-a-week service by Scotland-based low-cost carrier, Flyglobespan, will begin in May.

It is believed the routes will open access to the western counties of Ireland to US visitors and also help to boost Irish tourism in New York.

During Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s last visit to Ireland in August, he promised to lobby the US government to approve flights between the Co Mayo hub and the US. The flights, which also include two weekly routes into Boston’s Logan Airport were announced last month.

Mr Bloomberg yesterday met officials of Ireland West Airport in Co Mayo.

“New York has been referred to as Ireland’s 33rd county and we will grow even closer with the start of these flights. It is also fitting that JFK Airport is named after former president John F Kennedy whose great-grandparents left Ireland during the Famine.

“Not only will these flights make it easier for Americans to get to the west of Ireland, it will enable even more Irish residents to visit New York,’’ he said.

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv, whose grandfather Eamon de Valera was born in New York in 1882, also welcomed the service.

“I have no doubt that many New Yorkers will take the opportunity to renew their links with the places and people of their ancestry,” he added.

Scotland-based Flyglobespan will operate three flights per week between Ireland West Knock and JFK, along with two flights weekly to Boston’s Logan Airport. Currently, direct flights from Ireland to the US are only operated out of Shannon, Dublin and Belfast.

It is believed the flights could draw an additional 2,500 to 3,000 Irish visitors to New York this year resulting in an estimated €3.5 million spend.

The Government was represented yesterday by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, who formally welcomed Mr Bloomberg to the Republic.