Aer Lingus is to resume operations on its Knock to London Gatwick service on December 18th, in time for the busy Christmas period, it said on Friday.
The service will return on a phased basis initially ahead of a planned full resumption of services in March.
“This comes as welcome news for the west and northwest of Ireland following a suspension of the service for over 18 months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ireland West Airport.
“The Gatwick service has been an ever present service at the airport since its commencement in 2009, and is a hugely important one from both a business, diaspora and tourism perspective.”
Over the Christmas period the London Gatwick service will operate daily.
The airport said the route provides “critically important” connectivity not just with the London market but as a gateway from the west of Ireland to Europe, with London Gatwick offering a wide range of international connections.
Welcoming the news of Aer Lingus’s return to the airport, Joe Gilmore, managing director, Ireland West Airport, said, “The last 18 months have been an extremely difficult period for the airport and the whole aviation sector, and today’s announcement by Aer Lingus is a major vote of confidence, not just in the airport but in the northwest and west regions.
He thanked the Air Lingus team “for their ongoing support and commitment to the airport as we look to rebuild our route network”.
“I know this announcement will be welcome news to the loyal customer base that Aer Lingus has built up over the last 12 years, particularly in advance of the busy Christmas period, and it will be great to welcome the famous Aer Lingus livery back to the west.”
Susanne Carberry, chief customer officer at Aer Lingus, said the airline was “delighted to announce a significant restart to a number of our favourite routes in North America and Europe, and reconnecting friends, families and businesses once again”.
She said safety “remains our priority at Aer Lingus”, and that measures such as mask requirements and additional cleaning remained in place.
“We are also committed to making the flight experience as comfortable as possible and customers can enjoy our in-flight food, drink and entertainment services on board,” she said.
Before travelling Aer Lingus customers are advised to use the airline’s new online travel support tool.
The tool can be used to search by destination and retrieve up-to-date tailored travel information based on specific circumstances including vaccination status, return travel and flight connection requirements.
Should plans change, customers can also avail of the “book with confidence” flexible booking proposition until December 31st. Fares to Gatwick start from €32.99 each way, including airline taxes and charges.
