This morning, Monday, 28th March 2011, the first Aer Lingus Regional flight to Dublin, operated by Aer Arann, took to the skies from Bristol airport.

Today’s launch marks the third Aer Lingus Regional connection between Bristol and Ireland with services also currently available to Shannon and Cork.

Operating under the franchise agreement between Aer Lingus and Aer Arann, the Bristol to Dublin service includes 3 return flights 6 days each week and two returns flights on Saturdays with new morning, afternoon and evening frequency options for business customers.

To mark the celebrations, all passengers travelling on the first flight to Dublin today enjoyed a complimentary breakfast reception in the departure area prior to boarding. In addition, a special green carpet was rolled out for the first passengers to ensure they received a warm Irish welcome.

2011 is a very special year for Aer Lingus as it marks 75 years of the Green Shamrock flying. On May 27th 1936 Aer Lingus launched its first ever flight between Baldonnel and Bristol, with five passengers, on a six-seater De Havilland 84 Dragon named Iolar, – meaning ‘eagle’ in Irish.

Dublin flights will connect Aer Lingus New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando services to and from Bristol which currently has no direct services to the United States. As well as the convenience of flying from their home airport connecting passengers from Bristol will also benefit from the new US Customs and Immigrations clearance facilities in Dublin that will allow them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers.