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Aer Lingus announces return to Leeds Bradford Airport with new routes

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, has announced that it has returned to Leeds Bradford Airport with new routes to Dublin after a 14-year absence.

The airline will offer direct double daily return flights between Leeds Bradford International Airport and Dublin Airport from 23 October 2014.

Aer Lingus Regional expects to carry up to 70,000 customers annually on the new route and will operate all services on the company’s brand new fleet of regional aircraft.

Passengers flying to Dublin can thenconnect to Aer Lingus mainline transatlantic services to New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Franciso and Toronto.

Dublin Airport offers US-bound passengers immigration and customs preclearance services before their onward journey to the US. In Europe, only Dublin and Shannon airports offer this service.

Speaking at the announcement in Leeds Bradford International Airport today, Mr Julian Carr, managing director at Stobart Air said: “We are delighted to return to Leeds Bradford to launch this route to Dublin. We hope this service will continue to facilitate the long established Irish community which has thrived near the city centre of Leeds for nearly 200 years.

“Today’s announcement is part of the growth of our airline and reflects the ongoing success of our franchise partnership with Aer Lingus.

“Leeds and Bradford have thriving business communities. The availability of a double daily return service to the business capital in Ireland means our business passengers will benefit from a convenient schedule which accommodates a day return.

“Dublin is home to some of the world’s most reputable multinationals such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, EMC and IBM. For leisure passengers, the route provides convenient and efficient access to Dublin, Ireland’s tourism and cultural capital.

“For US bound customers, the Aer Lingus connection over Dublin, offers a new fastest journey time from Leeds to New York, at less than 10 hours and that includes the unique convenience of arriving in the US as a domestic, pre-cleared passenger….without doubt, the best way to the USA!’

John Parkin, chief executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport, added: “We are delighted to welcome Aer Lingus to Leeds Bradford. This announcement will provide increased choice for business and leisure passengers flying to the Dublin hub.

“In addition to introducing a business friendly schedule between the 2 growing city regions of Leeds and Dublin, the opportunity for passengers to connect to Aer Lingus expanding North American network will offer a wider range of connections across the US and Canada.

“Coupled with the excellent pre clearance facility in Terminal 2 at Dublin Aer Lingus new service will provide an alternative means of gaining quick access to a number of US gateways.

“We will also look forward to providing a warm Yorkshire welcome to an increasing number of inbound visitors from North America and Ireland who will now choose to use this service.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .