NY mayor hails flight link to the West
The New York mayor today visited Co Mayo to hail the first direct flights between Knock Airport and the Big Apple.
The thrice-weekly 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 today met officials of Ireland West Airport in Co Mayo.
He said: “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.
Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon O 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.
Last August Mayor Bloomberg visited Co Sligo to dedicate a memorial to the Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard.
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 $4.5m (€3.47m) spend.
The Government was represented at today’s event by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan who formally welcomed Mr Bloomberg to the Republic.
Ms Coughlan will also travel to New York next month for St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Ms Coughlan said: “Ireland West Airport Knock has grown to such an extent over the past 21 years that it is now the first choice airport for people throughout the west and north-west.
“The addition of direct flights to the United States is a major achievement for its board, management and staff and one that will open up many new opportunities for tourism and business in the region.”
