TEESSIDE AIRPORT NEWS - 27/01/2010

Aer Lingus and Aer Arann team up to offer Durham to Dublin route

By Nick Jones.

New flights launched by two airlines are set to connect the north-east with Ireland.

Aer Lingus and Aer Arann have signed an agreement to provide five flights per week between Durham Tees Valley Airport and Dublin Airport.

The move is set to replace Ryanair services between the two cities, which were called off in March 2009.

According to the carriers, they will increase the operation to six daily flights in May.

Durham Tees Valley Airport director Kerry Quinn said: "With approaching three million people living within an hour's drive of the airport, we know there is a strong market for travellers, both business and leisure, between the region and Ireland."

Ms Quinn added that business passengers could use the service to connect to international Aer Lingus routes.

The agreement between the two airlines will also yield 12 routes from Dublin to Cork and all new services will be operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew.

Aer Lingus is currently offering one-way flights from London Gatwick Airport to Eindhoven at a price of £29.99 for travel before March 27th.

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