News & Events
LOCAL DONEGAL NAME TAKES FLIGHT WITH AER ARANN
Wednesday March 3rd:Young Claire McGee, from Gortahork in Letterkenny has been announced as the lucky winner of the Aer Arann/Donegal Democrat Name an Aircraft competition.
When Aer Arann decided to christen its entire fleet of aircraft it called on local people in towns and cities throughout the country to do the honours and name the aircraft for them. Entrants were asked to choose a name that they felt reflected Aer Arann and, in this case, Donegal, in the best possible way.
Claire chose the name Conall which is derived from the Irish Translation of Donegal - Tír Chonaill. Conall was allegedly the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages whom it is believed founded the county under Irish history. The judges felt that this link with the county’s name itself, coupled with the strong Irish roots in which Aer Arann is embedded, made the name Conall the perfect choice of name for a local aircraft.
Both the winning name and the local meaning of that name are now featured on one of Aer Arann’s ATR type aircraft and can regularly be seen by passengers as it passes through Donegal Airport.
Fourteen year old Claire was given the opportunity to see her chosen name up close on the Aer Arann aircraft at a dedicated photoshoot this week to mark the occasion.
Aer Arann brings Donegal and Glasgow closer together with new service
23rd February 2010: Aer Arann has announced a new direct service from Donegal to Glasgow Airport.The service will replace the airline’s current Donegal to Glasgow-Prestwick route and will operate four days per week, up from the current three-times weekly service. Flights are on sale now with fares starting from €39 one way including taxes. The service will begin operating on March 28th.
Glasgow Airport is situated just eight miles west of Glasgow City and offers passengers convenient access to both the city centre and surrounding destinations and a recently announced £25 million investment will enhance the passenger experience at the airport.
Welcoming the new service Aer Arann Corporate Affairs Director Andrew Kelly said: "We are committed to offering our customers in Donegal and surrounding areas regional connectivity and direct access to major international hubs. With the direct route to Glasgow Airport we are responding to popular customer demand and we look forward to welcoming both new and existing passengers on this route in the coming weeks".
Donegal Airport's Managing Director, Anne Bonner also welcomed the news remarking that she was “delighted with Aer Arann's decision to move to Glasgow Airport and particularly with the decision to expand the frequency to four days year round. While Prestwick-Donegal is very well supported, many of our regulars have issues with the surface transport connections. Glasgow has a much wider catchment area and we will be looking forward to seeing some familiar faces coming through. The first Glasgow -Donegal route stared in 1986.
This is the latest development for Aer Arann following the recent announcement that the airline has signed a franchise agreement with Aer Lingus to operate 12 routes between Ireland and the UK under the brand “Aer Lingus Regional”.
For further details on schedule times, great value special offers and to make a booking visit www.AerArann.com
Aer Arann Media Contacts:
| Andrew Kelly | Gina Kelly |
| Aer Arann | Aer Arann |
| Tel: +353 1 844 7733 | Tel: +353 1 844 7788 |
| +353 85 711 7711 | +353 86 780 5451 |
| Email: andrew.kelly@aerarann.com | Email: gina.kelly@aerarann.com |
Aer Arann Signs Franchise Agreement with Aer Lingus.
Tuesday January 26th 2010:
Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have today announced that agreement has been reached to establish a franchise arrangement between the two airlines.Under this franchise agreement Aer Arann will operate 12 routes from Dublin and Cork.The routes will include current Aer Lingus and Aer Arann routes as well as 3 new routes.These franchise services will be branded as "Aer Lingus Regional" and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew. All franchise flights will be sold and distributed through www.aerlingus.com . Aer Arann will assume full operational and commercial responsibility for the services covered by the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus receiving a franchise fee in recognition for providing its brand and product suite to Aer Arann. The new agreement significantly increases Aer Lingus presence in the Ireland-UK market with new services to Ireland from Bristol , Blackpool, Cardiff , Doncaster/Sheffield, Durham , Glasgow and Edinburgh in addition to new seasonal services from Cork to Jersey in the Channel Islands and La Rochelle in France. Welcoming the new agreement Aer Lingus Chief Executive Mr. Christoph Mueller said "This franchise agreement is good news for all stakeholders in Aer Lingus as it will allow us to serve key regional destinations, linking them with our Dublin transatlantic network as well as offering our business and leisure customers improved schedule and frequency options." Aer Arann Chief Executive Mr. Paul Schütz also welcomed the agreement calling it “a major development for Irish aviation and the tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines, including brand power and market presence, will allow us to offer a quality customer product that meets the capacity requirements of existing and new routes. Aer Arann is a leading regional airline that is wholly-owned by its Chairman, Padraig O'Ceidigh. In addition to operating routes for Aer Lingus Regional the airline will continue to operate under its own Aer Arann brand on routes within Ireland , from Ireland to the UK and France and from the Isle of Man to London and Paris . Aer Arann Media Contacts:
Andrew Kelly Aer Arann Tel:
+353 1 844 7733+353 85 711 7711
Email: andrew.kelly@aerarann.com
Gina Kelly
Aer Arann Tel: +353 1 844 7788 +353 86 780 5451
Email: gina.kelly@aerarann.com
Passengers who hold existing bookings on any of the services covered by this agreement will have their bookings amended and new travel documents will be issued without charge. Aer Arann will proactively contact each passenger with information on changes to their flight bookings Aer Arann will continue to operate its own route network including flights between:
- Dublin and City of Derry , Donegal, Sligo , Ireland West Knock, Galway, Cork and the Isle of Man
- Galway and London Luton, Manchester , Edinburgh , Dublin and Lorient,Waterford and London Luton, Manchester ,Birmingham , Galway and Lorient
- Cork and Dublin and Belfast
- Donegal and Glasgow and Dublin
Online Marketing Campaign results in Record Sales for Airline.
Friday 6th November: - The growing power of online marketing was illustrated yesterday after a unique campaign by Aer Arann resulted in a 320%* spike in flight bookings; the highest sales achieved by the airline in one day this year.The Aer Arann 'Happy Hour' campaign which took place on Thursday 5th November offered 50% off all flights between the hours of 1pm and 3pm only.
As well as setting an overall daily sales record, the company also recorded its highest ever number of sales in one hour, a 600%* increase, between 2pm and 3pm on the day.
At one point, due to phenomenal demand, the booking process on the website slowed down so the airline extended the 'Happy Hour' until 4pm, allowing customers who started the booking process during the sale period to complete their purchase.
Customers were notified about the sale the previous day via the Aer Arann ezine, informing the database that a major offer was on the way without disclosing what that offer would be. Customers only learned about the discount at 1pm when they logged onto the Aer Arann website.
Online tools such as email and social media site Twitter were the only media used to promote the campaign, as the offer was designed to reward existing loyal customers and friends. Website bookings accounted for the majority of bookings on the day.
The top five selling routes over the duration of the campaign were:
1. Waterford – London Luton
2. Donegal - Dublin
3. Galway - Dublin
4. Galway – London Luton
5. Dublin - Cardiff
Aer Arann has pledged to repeat the Happy Hour campaign at a future date but will not disclose when that will be. Customers signed up to the Aer Arann database will be notified in advance when the ‘Happy Hour’ will commence.
Commenting on the success of the campaign, Aer Arann Corporate Affairs Director Andrew Kelly said "We are very pleased with the success of our 'Happy Hour' campaign.
We will continue to reward our loyal customer base and offer new customers great value promotions to further encourage business and leisure tourism from regional destinations" he added.
For further information and to sign up to the Aer Arann ezine and social media channels visit www.AerArann.com
Annual Gradam Barr 50 Awards
We are delighted to announce that Eilis Barrett,Donegal Airport Operations Manager was the recipient of one of the Six special achievement awards for her use of the Irish language at the Annual Gradam Barr 50 awards ceremony hosted by Belfast Media and held in the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin on June 26th 2009.
The annual Gradam Barr 50 awards ceremony is now in it's fourth year and gives recongnition to the top 50 Companies and Business Managers in the Gaeltacht areas and throughout Ireland for their use of the Irish language as a marketing tool and having a focus on the Irish language in their daily business.
Aer Arann Connects Cork with Donegal
24th June 2009 - Aer Arann has introduced connecting flights to Cork from Donegal. From as little as €45 one way including taxes, business and leisure passengers can now travel conveniently throughout Ireland, saving hours of additional driving time in the process.
All connecting flight options and further details can be found at www.AerArann.com Customers travelling to Cork from Donegal can simply proceed directly to their onward departure gate.
“These new flight services open up the possibility for short but important business and leisure trips that would otherwise involve lengthy and often frustrating car journeys” comments Andrew Kelly, Aer Arann’s Director of Corporate Affairs. “By opting for a connecting flight rather than driving, customers can save significant travel time, as well as enjoying the added comfort of travelling with Aer Arann” he adds.
Air travel passengers receive more when choosing to fly with Aer Arann, including shorter check in times, free airport check in, free baggage allowance up to 15kg for checked luggage and up to 7kg for carry on luggage.
Flight times, booking details and further information on all of Aer Arann’s great value fares and travel benefits can be found at www.AerArann
Fly through Dublin Airport with Aer Arann!
June 2009
Aer Arann customers can now benefit from even more convenient domestic travel through Dublin airport.As well as been able to travel through the fast track domestic departures facility,Aer Arann is now the only airline to offer a fast track arrivals facility for passengers travelling into Dublin from destinations within the Republic of Ireland.
So not only can you bypass the queues for airport security on any domestic destinations,you can now also skip the passport control queue! All you need to do is follow the signs to the fast track arrivals channel,present your boarding card and go straight to the arrivals hall.
Important Passenger Information
Effective from May 1st 2009, Online check-in will be availableon the following routes:
- DUB-CFN (Donegal)
- DUB-NOC (Knock)
- DUB-SXL (Sligo)
check in at the airport.
The only accepted forms of photo ID are:
- Valid passport
- Valid driving licence with photo
- Valid national ID with photo
- Valid International Student Card
- Valid Bus Pass with photo
- Valid Work ID with photo
- Valid Northern Ireland Electoral Card. (With Photo.)
- Valid NATO/ U.N. Military I.D.
- Valid Disability Card with Photo
U.K. or between Ireland and the U.K. must produce a Form of
Photo I.D.
Revised Baggage Allowance
Aer Arann has amended its Excess Baggage Policy on the Donegal to Dublin route. This change will benefit passengers- Who are travelling on the Aer Arann service and connecting onto another carrier i.e. Donegal – Dublin with Aer Arann and Dublin JFK with Aer Lingus.
- Who are travelling with another carrier into Dublin and then connecting onto Aer Arann from Dublin to i.e. – London to Dublin with Aer Lingus and Dublin to Donegal with Aer Arann.
This waiver applies to checked baggage only, and not to sports equipment or other 'out of gauge' items. These items will be charged at the normal relevant additional fees e.g. golf bags/bikes.
Please note that it is the passenger's responsibility to provide proof of onwards travel arrangements and baggage allowance. If the passenger does not have the proof with them, then Aer Arann Baggage allowance must be adhered to and all excess baggage fees must be taken.
New Product Saoire Faílte
Saoire Failte has launched a new website for it's products .www.real-ireland.com
With the launch of this website it is possible to book the products online. The products include hotels, activities, roundtrips and flybreaks. When booking a flybreak to Donegal for example, you will be given to choose flights, car rental, hotels and activities as you wish. The trip will be completely tailor made.
Chartered Air Service from the Netherlands to Donegal
April
The Charter Service commenced on April 25th 2009 and will run on a weekly basis until mid September.VLM Airlines operate a Fokker 50 aircraft on the route. Real-Ireland who are based at Donegal airport are the ground handliers for the charter operation.The company are offering eight holiday packages in Donegal based on either a 7 or 14 day stay including general tours, de luxe breaks and activity trips.
Donegal to Holland - Flights now available
The Flight departs Donegal Airport at 1.30pm each Saturday and ETA Rotterdam at 5.00
One Way – Seat Only €129 includes all taxes and fees
The Flight Returns from Rotterdam ETD – 10.00am each Saturday
Return Flight - €259including all taxes and fees
You can book this flight by calling Real-Ireland on 074 9548891 you or get further information by contacting -
Buro Britain Tel.+31 -(0)20-4621040
Email info@buroscanbrit.nl
www.burobritain.nl
Aer Arann group travel initative
This special initiative provides the perfect opportunity for parties of 10-66 people to make Ireland your destination for family celebrations, school trips, hen nights, stag do’s, weddings or just a jolly with friends.Whether you choose the surfing spots of the stunning west coast,live music,the fabulous NorthWest golf courses or the culture and charm of the Gaeltacht. Aer Arann makes it easy for friends and family to travel together to discover the 'real' Ireland. For sporting enthusiasts, equipment such as golf clubs and surf boards can be taken on the plane. Aer Arann offers a free baggage allowance of 15 kgs per passenger in the hold and 7 kgs carry on, making packing that bit easier. Especially useful for a group booking, ticket names do not have to be confirmed until 4 weeks before departure with changes allowed up to 1 day before departure.
Come and discover all that Donegal has to offer!
For your next group travel event to Donegal contact
Donegal Airport
Tel: +353 74 9548284
Email: paulinesweeney@donegalairport.ie
Aer Arann Group Travel by telephone to receive a great value quote.Tel: +353 91 541926