Aer Arann will fly to Amsterdam”s Schiphol hub direct from Waterford ” and from Galway via Waterford - beginning 1 May, having agreed a franchise deal with Nex Aviation.
Three other European destinations being added to Aer Arann”s network are Malaga, Faro (Portugal) and Bordeaux, all from Galway via Waterford.
There will be four flights to Amsterdam every week, leaving on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday ” the first route connecting the city to west of Ireland. A 100-seat BAE 146-200 jet ” with leather seats and a seat pitch of 31” (79cm) - will operate the services, which will all be sold as part of the Irish carrier”s network and operated under Aer Arann”s livery.
Weekday flights leave Galway at 07:15 and Waterford at 08:15, arriving in Schiphol at 10:45. Sunday departures are 14:30 and 15:30, arriving 18:00.
”This expansion offers services to Amsterdam Schiphol, which offers the best connections of any airport in the world, with more than 260 destinations in 91 countries,” said Aer Arann managing director Garry Cullen.
”Our partnership with Nex Aviation underpins the Aer Arann strategy of connecting regional Ireland to mainland Europe. Of course, the inflight experience offered will be the same high quality that our passengers expect.”
Nex Aviation chief executive, Peter O”Mara, said: ”The Aer Arann brand is firmly established and a huge benefit to Nex Aviation. Connecting the two regions to a major global hub such as Schiphol is a significant development in access.
”We anticipate further exciting new routes to be announced in 2008.”
Galway Airport managing director Joe Walsh said: ”Connectivity is a key business need, and these services are a significant step forward in linking businesses on the western seaboard with Europe and the rest of the world.”
Nex Aviation - an Irish company based in Waterford - is leasing the jet to Aer Arann.