Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, announced today that it will offer direct double daily return flights between Leeds Bradford International Airport and Dublin Airport from October 23rd 2014. 

This is the first time in 14 years that the airline is returning to Leeds Bradford.

Aer Lingus Regional expects to carry up to 70,000 customers annually on the new route and will operate all services on the company’s brand new fleet of regional aircraft.

All flights to/from Leeds Bradford will operate from Aer Lingus’ hub at Dublin Airport’s new Terminal 2, which houses the unique US Customs and Border Pre Clearance facility.

Passengers flying to Dublin can conveniently connect to Aer Lingus mainline transatlantic services to New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Franciso and Toronto. 

Dublin Airport offers US-bound passengers immigration and customs pre-clearance services before their onward journey to the US.

The service means that passengers are treated as domestic passengers on arrival in the US and so avoid long delays often associated with security checks.

In Europe, only Dublin and Shannon airports offer this service.

Equally, Aer Lingus business class passengers can avail of free Wi-Fi on transatlantic flights and beginning next year and also will benefit from superior beds on board.

Speaking at the announcement in Leeds Bradford International Airport today, Julian Carr, managing director at Stobart Air said that the new route to Dublin represents a convenient, accessible and value for money choice for our customers. 

Carr said: “We are delighted to return to Leeds Bradford to launch this route to Dublin. 

“We hope this service will continue to facilitate the long established Irish community which has thrived near the city centre of Leeds for nearly 200 years.

“Today’s announcement is part of the growth of our airline and reflects the ongoing success of our franchise partnership with Aer Lingus.”