Aer Lingus Targets Business Routes as Part of Airport Switch

Aer Lingus Targets Business Routes as Part of Airport Switch PR Newswire DUBLIN, July 19, 2012 DUBLIN, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aer Lingus is to move to George Best Belfast City Airport in the autumn after five years at Belfast International. Following a tender process involving both airports, the decision has been taken to base two aircraft at the city airport during the winter and three during the summer. A new-look winter schedule for 2012 will target two key routes for business, leisure and transfer traffic to London Heathrow and London Gatwick. There will be three flights daily to each airport in each direction. The summer schedule, which begins from the end of March 2013, will operate daily flights to two sun destinations, Malaga and Faro in addition to the three daily rotations each to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. "Northern Ireland's vital London connections are secure with Aer Lingus," said Christoph Mueller, the airline's chief executive, who announced the decision to move airports. "The two aircraft which we normally use in the winter for a mixture of sun destinations and Heathrow will be used for Heathrow and Gatwick with a third aircraft serving two European routes in the new-look summer schedule." He added: "This is a commercial decision delivering value for our customers and the company. George Best Belfast City Airport delivers a compelling location and a strong history of business flying.