Aer Lingus launches first direct flight to Cancún
Sunseekers can beat the January blues next year as Aer Lingus launches its first direct flights to Cancún, Mexico's Caribbean resort.
The airline confirmed on Wednesday that it would begin flying direct to Cancún, long popular with Irish people, three times a week from January 2026.
The destination on Mexico's east coast is known for its beaches, tropical climate, food and sights that include ruined Mayan cities.
Lynne Embleton, the airline's chief executive, said Mexico offered the new destinations and winter sun sought by many Irish people.
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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Dublin airport operator warned over passenger cap breach
Dublin Airport operator DAA has been issued with an enforcement order by Fingal County Council for breaching the 32 million annual passenger limit, despite a High Court suspension of the cap. An Bord Pleanála imposed the limit on airport's capacity in 2007 as a condition of allowing it add a second terminal. The move was meant to allay fears over traffic jams on roads to and from the airport, which have since been upgraded. State company DAA applied to the council for permission to increase the cap to 36 million and 40 million in separate applications, but has yet to receive a decision from the planning authority. However, in April the High Court effectively suspended the passenger cap pending the outcome of a legal challenge relating to the limit taken last year by Irish airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus, and Airlines for America, which represents US and Canadian carriers. READ MORE The cap was breached last year when 33.3 million passengers came through the airport. The council has now issued DAA with an enforcement notice which allows a two-year period to comply with the passenger capacity conditions. [ Aviation regulator drops measure from winter travel plan Opens in new window ] 'The two-year period provides an opportunity for DAA to progress their planning applications to increase passenger capacity at Dublin Airport or take such other steps as they consider appropriate to achieve compliance,' the council said. In response to complaints received that the conditions were breached in 2023 and 2024, the council's enforcement unit initiated a formal investigation to assess compliance. 'A warning letter was issued to DAA, providing them with an opportunity to respond, which they did,' the council said. 'Fingal County Council acknowledges the operational complexities presented. However, the information submitted by DAA does not constitute sufficient grounds to prevent further action. The investigation has determined that a breach of the relevant planning conditions has occurred and remains ongoing.' A DAA spokesman described the issuing of the enforcement notice as a 'sorry indictment' of the planning system. 'The fact that Fingal County Council is sending us an enforcement notice regarding 32 million passengers when passenger numbers will be north of 36 million this year and heading towards 40 million before the end of the decade is a sorry indictment of the mess that is the Irish planning system, particularly when it comes to the most vital piece of transport infrastructure on this island,' he said. DAA said that until the 'broken' system was overhauled the airport was effectively 'hamstrung' and unable to grow Ireland's connectivity. It has called for a complete scrapping of the passenger limit and for the airport to be classified as strategic infrastructure, placing relevant decisions in the hands of a national planning body and not a local authority. 'When it took up office, the Government committed to acting speedily to identify and implement a legislative solution that would remove the passenger cap from Dublin Airport,' the DAA spokesman said. 'The Minister has since also said he will bring forward legislation to solve the cap issue, dispel uncertainty and maintain connectivity for Ireland – and this can't happen quickly enough.' Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien last month said he hoped forthcoming legislation could bring an end to the dispute.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Big increase in winter flights at Dublin Airport expected after cap suspended
The number of seats that will be available on flights in and out of the capital will rise to just under 17.9 million for the season, a 23pc increase on last winter. Last winter, just under 14.4 million seats were set to be made available by carriers as the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) decided to limit numbers to ensure Dublin Airport adhered to its annual 32 million passenger cap. While the number available next winter is expected to shoot back up to 17.9 million, that is still below the near 18.4 million that were being made available for winter 2023-2024. Aer Lingus intends to have more than 4.7 million seats available this winter. That's 560,000 more than last winter. Ryanair will have 7.54 million, compared with the 6.25 million it had last season. Other international operators, from Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad to US airlines including United, Delta and American, will have hundreds of thousands of extra seats available between them. Dublin Airport's passenger cap is due to a planning condition attached in 2007 to the construction of Terminal 2. However, this year Dublin Airport will handle about 36.3 million passengers, following decisions by the High Court that effectively paused the cap while certain matters related to aircraft take-off and landing slot allocations are being examined by the European Court of Justice. It is not likely to deliver a ruling on those matters until summer next year. Dublin Airport's slots are managed by UK-based firm Airport Coordination. Its initial co-ordination report for the coming winter period, which covers October 26 to March 28 next year, shows the dramatic increase in the planned seat availability now that the IAA cannot, for the time being at least, limit the number at Dublin Airport. The report shows there was demand for 103,020 take-off and landing slots for the season, with 102,754 allocated. New slots for the period were requested by a slew of airlines, from Aer Lingus and Ryanair, to Hainan Airlines, Emirates and Etihad. Ryanair remains by far the biggest operator at Dublin Airport for the season, with 39pc of allocated slots for the winter. Aer Lingus has 23pc. Emerald Airlines, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service, has just under 13pc. The largest non-Irish long-haul carrier out of Dublin is United Airlines, with 1,080 slots for the winter, followed by Emirates and Qatar Airways. The report from Airport Coordination notes that some new destinations which intended to be operated next winter include routes to Albania's capital, Tirana, as well as to Rabat in Morocco and a direct service to Derry. The Government has pledged to have the cap removed. While Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien has suggested legislation will be brought forward in the autumn to address the cap, it could take some time before it is removed. Dublin Airport is set for its busiest ever summer, with passenger numbers expected to surpass 10 million for the season. It expects to have a number of days where passenger numbers will significantly exceed 100,000.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Aer Lingus launches new winter cities sale during heatwave with cheap Christmas market spots from €31
AER Lingus has launched a major winter sale with flights to top Christmas market spots from €31. The Irish airline has slashed flights to a number of destinations across 1 Passengers can book their Christmas market flights early Credit: PA:Press Association Passengers can travel to top spots including Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Zurich, Geneva and Milan from €31.20. The valid travel period is from October 1 to April 30. Aer Lingus said: "With a multitude of destinations waiting to be explored, there's lots to look forward to across Europe!" "Check out our incredible European city break offers – fly from only €35.99." READ MORE IN TRAVEL And Aer Lingus has issued a major warning to a number of their loyal customers who may be The Irish airline is reminding its three million AerClub members to check their account balances. So far this year, AerClub members saved over €3million using Avios to book flights with They can also use their Avios to save money on upgrades, hotels and other travel experiences. Most read in News Travel Avios is the reward currency of AerClub and can be collected when members fly with Aer Lingus and partner airlines, as well as when they shop with affiliated retailers including Deliveroo, Brown Thomas, ASOS, I'm an Aer Lingus flight attendant - here's a look at our newest flight direct to US destination from Dublin AerClub members can also collect Avios seamlessly by linking their Whether you're grabbing a coffee at Jump Juice, hopping on an Aircoach, or bagging some holiday essentials at Lifestyle Sports or Skechers, you'll collect Avios on each purchase, bringing you closer to your next adventure. Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, Susanne Carberry said: "At Aer Lingus, we are committed to rewarding our loyal AerClub members in meaningful ways. "All our members can secure discounts through Pay with Avios or redeeming Reward Flights, allowing them to use their Avios to maximise their benefits and make every journey more rewarding. "From booking flights and upgrading to Business Class to unlocking unique travel extras, we encourage our members to explore the full potential of Avios and turn their travel dreams into reality." TRAVEL HACK Frequent flyers will also love this And it's available at three busy airports this summer. The Irish airline has been offering an evening bag drop perk that is perfect for early morning flyers. With many sunrise flights leaving every day, airport lines can build up quickly. But If you are leaving in the early morning, you can now check in your bag the evening before your flight. This perk works perfect for anyone who lives nearby or is staying close to the airport.
