Knock Airport will be running a new year-round, daily service to London Heathrow Airport with Aer Lingus from next month.
Starting on March 26, Aer Lingus will operate daily flights to London Heathrow, London’s biggest and most well connected and closest airport to central London.
This new service will provide a major boost for the airport and the region as it is the first time in the airports 37-year history that the airport will be connected to one of Europe’s major international airport hubs.
Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport said, “This is a major development for the West and Northwest regions as it opens up key onward connectivity, through one of Europe’s biggest hubs, to over 80 destinations worldwide.”
“The hub status of Heathrow for business and leisure passengers to connect with the global marketplace is a potential game changer for this region”.
He added that, “from a tourism perspective the service will deliver a significant increase in tourism visits from all corners of the globe.”
On top of the direct travel between Ireland and London, the new service will also see U.S services return to the west of Ireland, as passengers will be able to book flights from Knock to multiple American destinations via Heathrow.
The new route will replace the current Aer Lingus service to London Gatwick, which will cease operations on March 25.
Customers already booked on this route will be automatically rebooked on a same day flight.
Reid Moody Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Aer Lingus said: “Our new route from Ireland West Airport to London Heathrow, accompanied with further network connectivity for our customers, is exciting for Aer Lingus and for the West of Ireland.”
“As well as direct connectivity to London Heathrow, there are significant onward connections now open to customers to North America and beyond.”
“The service will also drive inbound tourism at a time when interest in visiting the West of Ireland is very high, with the Oscar nominated Banshees of Inisherin showcasing the beauty of the West of Ireland to millions of people globally.”
