Cork airport received a boost yesterday when Aer Arann announced plans to launch two new routes for the summer to Jersey and Angers in the Loire Valley, France.
The two new services will begin operating on May 2nd. The Cork to Jersey service will operate weekly on Saturdays. The Cork to Angers service will operate three days per week. Both services will be operated by a 66-seater ATR72 aircraft.
The airline announced five new services for summer 2006 as part of its expansion of services to the UK and Europe, bringing its total number of routes to 30. Other new routes include Dublin to Inverness, Galway to Liverpool and Manchester to Angers. The Cork to Lorient service will recommence for a second season.
Michael O'Callarain, marketing manager with Aer Arann, said the new services represent another milestone in the airline's growth. "We are delighted to be expanding our UK and European operations for the summer season and believe that there is considerable potential to develop these new markets over the coming months.
"Following the success of our Lorient service last year, we anticipate strong demand for both our Cork to Angers and Cork to Jersey services.
"Angers is the gateway to the Loire Valley, famous for its historic towns, while Jersey remains an ever popular holiday destination among Irish tourists," he said.
Aer Arann is one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Europe, with a turnover in excess of €94 million and projected passenger numbers of 1.2 million for 2006.
Last October Aer Arann was awarded the Bronze Airline of the Year Award by the European Regions Airline Association.