"Airline
group spreads wings"
Newsletter - 30th April 2003
THE Belfast-Dublin economic corridor is to receive a major boost this summer with the launch of an air service which is aimed at cutting travelling time between the cities.
Aer Arann Express, the successful Dublin-based regional airline, yesterday revealed details of the new 40-minute service at the Newry headquarters of InterTradeIreland, which has been instrumental in negotiating the deal.
The cross-border business body said the route, which is expected to attract around 100,000 passengers a year, would be a major boost.
"The new service will help to open the entire island for business - particularly since Dublin Airport acts as a hub for so many other regional flights,'' said chairman Dr Martin Naughton.
"We are confident in Inter-TradeIreland that there will be strong business support for this new service and we know that this is a great opportunity for faster and more efficient access to the two major cities on the island.''
Padraig O'Ceidigh, managing director of Aer Arann Express, which employs 220 staff and operates over 400 flights per week, said the airline is still finalising certain details. These include a decision on fares and whether Belfast International or City Airport will be chosen for the service.
He added: ''We are delighted to be adding Dublin-Belfast to our network and will work closely with business and tourism interests north and south to ensure the service is well supported.''
The announcement follows the launch on Monday of Jetmagic's service from Belfast City Airport to Cork. It also coincides with the publication of a report into all-island air services.
The report, which is based on an island-wide MORI/MRC survey and an in-depth evaluation conducted by transport experts focused on demand for and the potential viability of routes to and from Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
It concluded that, while a daily Dublin/Belfast service could be expected to attract upwards of 100,000 passengers per annum and be commercially viable, Belfast/Shannon and - to a lesser degree - Belfast/Cork would require an element of financial support.
The report calls on Government and the air industry to re-examine the provision of all-island services and argues that the lack of air provision between major cities is undermining the efforts of businesses to develop economic links.
"Good air links throughout the island will allow companies to exploit markets more easily and make the home market more accessible to importers,'' said Dr Naughton.
"The report demonstrates that there is strong latent demand among business and other travellers for air access - particularly between Dublin/Belfast and Cork/Belfast."
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