Aer Arann Announces 4 New International Routes

Dublin, Ireland, May 16, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Aer Arann today commenced service on three new international routes and confirmed that a fourth route from Galway to Newcastle will commence service on 25th June. The new routes include services from Waterford to Birmingham, Galway to Bristol and Sligo to Manchester.

The Waterford to Birmingham service will operate daily excluding Saturday, while the other three services will operate four days per week and fares will start from €39 one way including tax. This will bring the total number of Aer Arann routes between Ireland and the UK to 23. The airline also recently announced that it will operate seven routes to France during summer 2007 including four services from Lorient to Waterford, Galway, Cork and Kerry and three services from Nantes to Cork, Bristol and Cardiff.

Commenting on the announcement, Colin Lewis, Head of Sales and Marketing, Aer Arann said: “Today’s announcement represents further significant expansion for Aer Arann in the UK market and will provide easy access to these major UK cities and greater choice for business and leisure passengers in the regions. We look forward to working with the regional airports to develop these services.”

The Minister of Transport, Martin Cullen, present at Waterford Airport to launch the Waterford to Birmingham 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.”

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

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For additional information or high resolution images, please contact Joanna Petty (01) 6391460 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 2005. 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.