Media Archive

Galway now connected to Amsterdam,Bordeaux, Malaga and Faro
Galway Airport today welcomed the announcement by Aer Arann that it has entered into a franchise agreement with Nex Aviation,adding four new routes from Galway airport.The new destinations are Amsterdam,Bordeaux,Malaga and Faro .Flights start from May 2008.
Michael Corless,Chairman of Galway Airport,said:’Aer Arann’s new scheduled service to Amsterdam will tap into huge demand for access to European and worldwide destinations from the West of Ireland.Galway airport and Aer Arann have an outstanding relationship,and these new services are a major milestone for the continued growth of Galway airport’.
Fergal Barry,Commercial Director at Aer Arann,said:"Since we announced the availability of these services,we have experienced an unprecedented level of interest and over the week-end we have had 1250 bookings before official launch.These four new destinations will provide greater choice and easier access to Continental Europe for our customers in the West from Galway airport".
The new route expansion comes on the back of a franchise deal between Aer Arann and Nex Aviation.The services will be sold as part of the Aer Arann network.The 100 seater BAE 146-200 jet has leather seats and a generous seat pitch of 31 inches.This aircraft will operate alongside Aer Arann’s current fleet of 14 ATR turbo-prop aircraft.This announcement follows the 2007 delivery of two new ATR 72-500 aircraft,the first in a fleet of 10 to be delivered by 2009.
Mr Barry continued:"Aer Arann’s partnership with Nex Aviation allows us to expand our range and underpins the Aer Arann strategy of connecting regional Ireland to the UK and mainland Europe.Of course,the in-flight experience offered on board will be the same high quality that Aer Arann’s passengers expect".
Peter O’Mara,Chief Executive of Nex Aviation said:"Nex Aviation is delighted to announce this partnership with Aer Arann.The Aer Arann brand is firmly established as a household name, and it is a huge benefit to Nex Aviation.Connecting the Galway region to a major global hub such as Amsterdam Schiphol is a significant development in access.We anticipate further exciting new routes to be announced in 2008".
Joe Walsh,Managing Director,Galway Airport congratulated both Aer Arann and Nex Aviation on their announcement saying:"As connectivity is a key business need,the service to Amsterdam Schiphol is a significant step forward in linking businesses on the Western seaboard with Europe and the rest of the world.Galway airport has become the airport of choice in the West for air travel within Ireland,to the UK and now to continental Europe due to its convenience,range of destinations and the frequency of services".
Michael Coyle,CEO of Galway Chamber of Commerce commented:"The business community in the West of Ireland now has quick and convenient access to virtually any major destination in the world,as Galway airport is now connected to Amsterdam Schiphol airport.The new services will not only facilitate access to the continent by the business community,but will also attract significant inward tourism and investment into the region from these European locations".
The new services will commence on May 1st from Galway and Waterford airports.Flights will operate daily from both airports to alternate destinations:
Monday:Bordeaux and Amsterdam
Tuesday:Malaga
Wednesday:Faro
Thursday:Amsterdam
Friday:Bordeaux and Amsterdam
Saturday:Malaga
Sunday:Faro and Amsterdam