Flyglobespan, which claims to be the UK”s first long haul budget carrier, is to introduce three times per week non-stop flights from Knock to Kennedy Airport, New York. In making the announcement New York Mayor Bloomberg reminded his audience of Ireland”s common heritage with Big Apple: "For centuries, New York City and Ireland have shared a strong bond, and we have had the good fortune to be the island's 33rd County."
The announcement comes as a result of Mayor Bloomberg's last visit to Ireland in August, when he promised to lobby the Federal government to approve flights between, Knock, in the west of the Irish Republic, and the United States. Now that the routes have been approved, he will return to Ireland on Sunday 4 February to celebrate this landmark achievement with local leaders and community members.
Flyglobespan, the Edinburgh-based low-cost carrier, will operate three flights per week between Knock and JFK, along with two flights weekly to Boston's Logan Airport. A three-class Boeing 767 will be used for the services. Flyglobespan already flies from Belfast to Orlando and Toronto, and to New York from Liverpool.