Aer Arann Create up to 45 New Jobs in Waterford

Dublin, Ireland, May 16, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Aer Arann today announced major expansion from Waterford airport. The airline has announced a new route to Birmingham together with increased flight frequency on the existing London Luton and Manchester services. There will be a third daily flight added to the London Luton route which will commence on the 23rd June to cater for the busy summer season. The service to Manchester will now operate six days a week.

New Base

To cater for the increased activity at Waterford, Aer Arann has now opened a base with the creation of up to 45 new jobs. This will be the fourth base Aer Arann has in Ireland adding to those in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Comment

Commenting on the new base Padraic O’Ceidigh, Executive Chairman Aer Arann, said: “Today’s inaugural flight to Birmingham and the development of our new base here demonstrates Aer Arann’s commitment to further developing our network of routes from Waterford Airport. We have received huge support from Nicki Fewer and the team here in Waterford airport since our first flight in June 2003 and we are delighted to be adding a new base and a new route as well as increasing frequency and improving business timings on our current services.”

The Minister of Transport, Martin Cullen, present to launch the route said: “The new service to Birmingham together with the increased frequencies on 2 of Aer Arann’s existing routes and its decision to establish a base in Waterford underscores the company’s commitment to Waterford and the South East. The outlook for Waterford Airport is extremely positive. Its success to date is a credit to its strong leadership and management and a dedicated staff.”

The Minister continued: “Passenger numbers have increased more than five fold since 2000 to last year’s record of over 82,000. I am confident that this level of growth will continue and I am encouraged by the airport’s conviction that it will meet its target of over 300,000 passengers by 2010. Expansion at Waterford Airport creates a direct gateway to important markets. The introduction of new routes and increased capacity to the UK and Europe opens up the regions for further tourism and business traffic and provides new opportunities for development and growth. I welcome Aer Arann’s decision to establish a base in Waterford and I wish it and management at the airport every success as it expands it business in Waterford.”

Graham Doyle, Chief Executive of Waterford Airport, said: “I’m thrilled that Aer Arann is basing an aircraft in Waterford. This allows a new route, increased frequency and better timings on our existing routes which offer great flexibility to the people in the south east. I’m delighted that Aer Arann has chosen Waterford for these services and I wish them every success.”

For more information visit www.aerarann.com or contact reservations on 0818 210 210.

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For further information or high resolution images, please contact:

Joanna Petty, Market Match, tel: (01) 639 1460 or Joanna@marketmatch.ie

Notes to the Editor

About Aer Arann
Aer Arann is one of the fastest growing regional airlines in the world with a turnover in excess of EUR94 million per annum and passenger numbers in excess of 1 million for 2006. The airline currently operates over 600 flights per week across 36 routes in Ireland, the UK and France. The company employs over 400 staff and has experienced substantial growth over the past year with the launch of 12 new routes as well as increases in flight frequency. Aer Arann recently announced that it would take delivery of 10 new ATR 72-500 series aircraft by 2009 in a deal worth $180 million.

Aer Arann does not charge for Online Check-In or Baggage. Seating is allocated free of charge.