Ryanair Announces New Route Between Knock And Birmingham

Ryanair has announced a new route between Ireland West Airport Knock and Birmingham.

In a statement published on its website, "Ireland West Airport Knock said, Ireland West Airport today welcomes the announcement by Ryanair of a new year round service to Birmingham to commence in March 2022. The service will initially operate twice weekly and operate on a year round basis.

"This new service will provide a major boost for the airport and the region as it restores a critically important service between the West of Ireland and Birmingham.

"The opening of this new route reinforces Ryanair's commitment to Ireland West Airport and the rebuilding of the airports route network whilst playing a key role in the recovery of local jobs and the economy. This is the third new route to be announced by Ryanair from the airport in 2021 following the commencement of new services to Edinburgh and Manchester in September. In addition, their services to Malaga and Milan will operate through the winter in 2021/22 for the first time.

"To celebrate this new Summer route, Ryanair has launched a seat sale with fares available from just €19.99 for travel until the end of Oct '22. These fares are sure to be snapped up quickly, so make sure to log onto Ryanair.com before midnight Wednesday, 15th December and make up for the lost summers of 2020 and 2021 with a well-deserved summer break.

"Commenting on the new Birmingham service, Ryanair's Director of Commercial, Jason McGuinness, said, 'We are pleased to add this new route to Birmingham from Ireland West Airport as part of Ireland's summer 2022 schedule, offering our customers yet another UK destination to choose from Ireland West Airport. Having added over 560 new routes and opened 16 bases throughout the last 12 months, Ryanair is now looking ahead to S'22 and the addition of 65 new B737-8200 'Gamechanger' aircraft to its fleet, which offer 4% more seats, 16% less fuel and a 40% reduction in noise emissions, making Ryanair’s S’22 schedule the most exciting and environmentally friendly to date.'

"Welcoming the news, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, commented, 'The airport are delighted to welcome today's announcement of a new twice weekly service to Birmingham with Ryanair. Our Birmingham service has long been one of our most established routes from the airport and it has been a priority for the airport to see this popular service restored. I have no doubt this will come as welcome news for the thousands of people who used this service from us over the last number of years both in Ireland and across the Midlands region of the UK. Today's announcement is a further vote of confidence in the airport and means that Ryanair will now offer passengers a choice of 15 destinations across the UK and Europe to and from the airport and reflects both the airport and Ryanair’s commitment to rebuilding and expanding our route network. We are confident that with the support of our loyal customer base, Local Authority partners, stakeholders and Government, the airport will return to growth in the not too distant future when international travel recovers from the effects of COVID-19.'"

Meanwhile, in a statement published on corporate.ryanair.com, Ryanair said, "Ryanair, Europe's no.1 airline, today (13^th Dec) announced an additional route to Ireland's S'22 schedule - Knock to Birmingham - operating twice weekly from Mar '22. The opening of this new route reinforces the airline’s commitment to Ireland and the rebuilding of the country’s tourism industry, playing a key role in the recovery of local jobs and the economy.

"To celebrate this new S'22 route, Ryanair has launched a seat sale with fares available from just €19.99 for travel until the end of Oct '22. These fares are sure to be snapped up quickly, so make sure to log onto Ryanair.com before midnight Wednesday, 15^th December and make up for the lost summers of 2020 and 2021 with a well-deserved summer break.

"Ryanair's Director of Commercial, Jason McGuinness, said, 'We are pleased to add this new route to Birmingham as part of Ireland's S'22 schedule, offering our customers yet another amazing European destination to choose from when planning their summer break.

"'Having added over 560 new routes and opened 16 bases throughout the last 12 months, Ryanair is now looking ahead to S'22 and the addition of 65 new B737-8200 'Gamechanger' aircraft to its fleet, which offer 4% more seats, 16% less fuel and a 40% reduction in noise emissions, making Ryanair's S'22 schedule the most exciting and environmentally friendly to date.

"'To celebrate, we have launched a seat sale with fares from just €19.99 for travel until the end of Oct '22, which must be booked by midnight Wednesday, 15^th December. With air fares likely to increase in S’22 due to reduced capacity, we encourage all customers to book early and scoop up these lower fares on Ryanair.com.'"

Atlantic Joint Business Partners Announces New Routes Between Europe And North America

The above news coincided with the publication of a statement on mediacentre.aerlingus.com that said, "As customers look to plan a trip next year, through the Atlantic Joint Business, customers will have a selection of new routes to choose from for Summer 2022.  New gateways include, London to Portland, Barcelona to Los Angeles and Helsinki to Dallas.

"The Atlantic Joint Business is a joint venture that started in 2010, between American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia, with Finnair joining in 2013, LEVEL in 2017 and Aer Lingus in 2021.  By bringing their network of flights together, the partnership offers customers in the North Atlantic the most competitive choice, with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and LEVEL operating in Europe and American Airlines in the USA.

"Customers can mix and match flights operated by any of the six carriers to get the best deals and enjoy smoother connections through coordinated schedules.  The new routes are:

"Aer Lingus

"Two new North American routes have launched from its new base in Manchester:

"Manchester to JFK New York, launched 1 December operating year-round

"Operating 7 times a week

"Fares start from £438 economy return including taxes and charges

"Aircraft type A321Neo

"Manchester to Orlando, launched 11 December operating year-round

"Operating 4 flights a week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; increasing to daily flights from 2 May 2022

"Fares start from £558 economy return including taxes and charges

"Aircraft type A330-300

"American Airlines

"Charlotte to Rome, 5 April 2022 to 29 October 2022

"Operating 7 times a week

"Fare start from $1,168 USD or 969€

"Aircraft type Boeing 777-200

"British Airways

"Heathrow to Portland, 3 June 2022 onwards

"Operating 5 times a week - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

"Fares start from £499 based on return fare in World Traveller (economy)

"Aircraft type Boeing 787-8

"Returning service: Heathrow to Pittsburgh, 3 June 2022 onwards

"Operating 4 times a week - Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

"Fares start from £449 based on return fare in World Traveller (economy)

"Aircraft type Boeing 787-8

"Finnair

"Helsinki to Dallas, 6 February 2022 to 30 October 2022

"Operating 4 times a week - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

"Fares start from 729€

"Aircraft type Airbus A350

"Helsinki to Seattle, 1 June 2022 to 29 October 2022

"Operating 3 times a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday

"Fares start from 779€

"Aircraft type Airbus A330

"Iberia will increase capacity in these routes from April to October:

"Up two daily flights Madrid - New York

"Up two daily flights Madrid - Miami

"Up one daily Madrid-Chicago flight

"Up to six weekly frequencies Madrid-Los Angeles

"Up to five weekly flights Madrid - San Juan de Puerto Rico

"Up to 19 weekly flights Madrid - Mexico

"LEVEL

"Barcelona to Los Angeles, 28 March 2022 onwards

"Operating 4 times a week - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday

"Fares start from 429€

"Aircraft type Airbus A330-200

"Seb Seward, Atlantic Joint Business' General Manager, said, 'Next summer brings exciting and convenient new routes for all of our customers, further connecting Europe with the USA. The Atlantic Joint Business offers huge benefits to our customers including the option to mix and match flights from any of the six airlines, to get the best deals and enjoy smoother connections - all on one booking.'

"Customer benefits from booking within the Atlantic Joint Business include a multi-destination ticket can be made on one booking, access to over 90 airport lounges across the network and the ability earn and redeem across all four airlines, giving customers more chances to earn and redeem Avios, miles or points.

"-ENDs-

"Aer Lingus

"Reid Moody, Aer Lingus' Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said, 'As the newest airline to join the Atlantic Joint Business, the option to use Dublin as a hub and avail of new European destinations not previously served by the AJB further enhances customer choice and flexibility, in addition to the new routes into Manchester. Aer Lingus has a long history of connecting friends, families and colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic, and we are looking forward to further extending our warm Aer Lingus welcome in 2022.'

"Aer Lingus' non-stop routes from Manchester to New York and Orlando are operated by Aer Lingus (UK). List of direct Transatlantic Routes from Ireland:

"American Airlines

"'Our customers are starting to dream about and plan travel for next summer and we want to be ready for when they want to fly,' said Anmol Bhargava, Vice President of Alliances. 'Through our creative, industry-leading Atlantic Joint Business, we can get customers where they want to go, when they want to be there while providing an easy and seamless travel experience.'

"British Airways

"Neil Chernoff, British Airways' Director of Networks and Alliances, said, 'British Airways has always had a fond connection with the USA; so, it's an honour to offer our customers yet more direct connections to new cities. Today's announcement to Pittsburgh and Portland is an exciting moment for customers wanting to plan ahead next year - to take a much-needed holiday or visit family and friends.'

"'Our new route to Portland opens up a whole variety of connections for our customers. Through Alaska Airlines, our oneworld partner, British Airways will offer codeshare connections to several destinations operated by Alaska Airlines from Portland.'"

"Finnair

"'Finnair is deeply committed to providing customers throughout North America with convenient access to Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltics as well as crucial connections to additional European countries,' said Caroline Borawski, General Manager, North America at Finnair. 'Seattle and Dallas are fantastic additions to our network in the US, and we believe they will be successful and popular routes with both leisure and corporate customers.'"

"Iberia

"'United States is one of our most important markets and we are making a great effort to increase demand with more flights and our best service in destinations such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, New York or Miami,' said Mª Jesús López-Solás, Iberia's Commercial, Network and Alliances Director."

"LEVEL

"'With our new service to Los Angeles we reinforce Barcelona's long-haul connectivity by adding our fourth direct connection to the States, a strategic market for our city, given the impact it has on its tourism and business,' said Víctor Gonzalez, head of Network & Alliances at LEVEL."

Iarnród Éireann Sign Contract For Up To 750 New Rail Carriages

In other Ireland-related transport news, Iarnród Éireann has signed contract for up to 750 new rail carriages.

In a statement published on irishrail.ie, Iarnród Éireann said, "French supplier Alstom awarded DART+ Fleet contract for up to 750 new rail carriages over 10 years

"The largest and most sustainable ever order of fleet for Ireland's public transport network was confirmed today as Alstom were awarded a contract by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for up to 750 new rail carriages over the coming decade.

"An initial order has been placed for 95 electrically-powered carriages - made up of 19 five-carriage train sets - are set for delivery from mid-2024, entering service in 2025, and will include a number of battery powered carriages, which will deliver more capacity for commuters in advance of electrification of the lines upon which they will operate.

"Funded under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 by the National Transport Authority, the order for the DART+ Fleet is part of the DART+ Programme, an investment which will more than double the commuter capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area rail network. DART+ will facilitate sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties.

"IÉ, supported by the NTA, and Alstom have concluded a framework agreement allowing for up to 750 new DART carriages to be ordered over a 10-year period.

"Alstom is one of the largest global suppliers of trains, and is well known to Irish transport users as the supplier of the LUAS tram fleet, and globally as the manufacturer of TGV high-speed trains. Alstom will deliver the new DART+ fleet as an energy efficient suburban transport solution from its proven X'Trapolis family of trains, with over 2,000 of these already in service in more than 10 countries, but with bespoke refinements to meet the needs of DART+ and Ireland’s specific track gauge.

"An initial order for 95 carriages, comprising six sets of five-carriage conventional electric trains and thirteen sets of five-carriage battery-electric trains has been placed.

"The Irish Government has given approval for €318million (incl. VAT) for the initial order for DART+ Fleet, and this includes substantial one-off design costs.[1]

"This design cost is not applicable for subsequent orders for additional trains under the 750-carriage framework agreement, and will mean any future orders will incur costs of as little as 50% of the initial order.

"Subsequent orders are intended to be placed in line with the delivery of the DART+ Programme, and in line with requirements for replacement of the original DART fleet (dating from 1984) later in the decade.

"The initial 95-carriage DART+ fleet order will:

• "Consist of 5-carriage train sets (equivalent in length to the 4-carriage train sets in the current DART fleet) providing high capacity with wide gangways between carriages. This will allow customers to freely circulate throughout the full length of 5-carriage trains, creating a more open and spacious environment and enhancing security.  A 10-carriage train, made up of two 5-carriage train sets joined, will be the longest train size operable by the new fleet on current infrastructure, and will have capacity for at least 1,100 customers
• "Prioritise independent access, with each of the low-height doorway thresholds being equipped with an automatic retractable step and offering the potential for unassisted level access from suitable platforms, aligned with platform enhancements
• "Include improved facilities for families and for cyclists, with dedicated family and bicycle storage areas, and charging facilities for everything from mobile phones to e-bikes and e-scooters
• "Provide transformed customer information on-board, with large, high-resolution onboard displays having the ability to provide real-time updates, including information from other public transport systems in the Transport for Ireland network, and other features designed for the needs of sensory impaired customers
• "Be designed for reduced energy consumption, enhancing further rail’s advantage in sustainable mobility for land transport
• "Be equipped with an advanced CCTV system with cameras throughout every carriage, to enhance safety and security for customers and employees
• "Be designed to meet the expectations of customers and to deliver an ergonomic design for drivers – research with customer and driver groups is already underway to ensure the needs of all on board are integral to design
• "Deliver off-wire operation through the incorporation of battery-electric technology, enabling new services and new capacity to be provided in the Greater Dublin area in advance of electrification. Energy stored in the battery system will be replenished via fast charging stations at chosen terminus locations and by recovering braking energy while the new battery-electric trainsets are on the move.  This will enable, for example, the new battery-electric fleet to deliver Dublin to Drogheda return services, with fast charging at Drogheda Station
• "The initial 95-carriage order will benefit a number of routes:
  • "New battery-electric carriages will be deployed on Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter services
  • "New electric carriages will be deployed on existing Malahide/Howth to Bray/Greystones DART services, to maximise capacity
  • "Introduction of the new fleet will also free up existing carriages to increase capacity on other Commuter and Intercity services
• "In addition to the fleet, Alstom will provide a range of supports, including a Technical Support and Spares Supply agreement for the first 15 years of the fleet’s operation, and provision of three train simulators to support driver training

"[1] Alstom quote €270million (excl. VAT and Project Management)

"The initial 95-carriage order will benefit a number of routes:

• "New battery-electric carriages will be deployed on Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter services
• "New electric carriages will be deployed on existing Malahide/Howth to Bray/Greystones DART services, to maximise capacity
• "Introduction of the new fleet will also free up existing carriages to increase capacity on other Commuter and Intercity services

"In addition to the fleet, Alstom will provide a range of supports, including a Technical Support and Spares Supply agreement for the first 15 years of the fleet’s operation, and provision of three train simulators to support driver training

"Building a sustainable transport network

"The ambitious overall agreement for up to 750 carriages allows for the overall planned fleet expansion, ensures there is a framework is in place for more carriages to be ordered as demand increases - including requirements outside the current National Development Plan - and enables replacement of the original DART fleet (76-carriage fleet in service since 1984).

"As well as the capacity increases that will be delivered through the DART+ Programme and the new DART+ Fleet in the Greater Dublin Area, Intercity carriages currently in use on Commuter services will be cascaded upon arrival of the new electrically-powered trainsets to enhance and strengthen other rail services.

"DART+ Programme Update

"DART+ is the transformative programme that will ensure train travel is at the heart of Ireland’s sustainable transport network. Funded under the National Development Plan by the National Transport Authority, DART+ is an investment that will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area network, facilitating sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties. The overall programme will provide electrification of lines on DART+ West to Maynooth/M3 Parkway, on DART+ South-West to Hazelhatch and DART+ Coastal North to Drogheda. DART+ Coastal South will also see key infrastructure works as far as Greystones to allow more trains to operate.

"DART+ Programme Status update

"Welcoming today's announcement, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D, said, 'The DART is one of the great successes of our transport system, and we are now  moving into an exciting new phase with Dart+, which will double capacity and treble the length of the network. This new fleet will result in  increased capacity for passengers as well as improved accessibility, facilities and comfort. The battery electric trains included in this contract will be used on the Northern Line before electrification of the line is complete. This will free up the diesel units to be redeployed elsewhere thus boosting capacity further.

"'Expanding and improving public transport is key to reaching our climate goals. We know from experience that if we provide high quality public transport people will use it, and I look forward to seeing the project progress in the years to come.'

"Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade said, 'The significance of this order and framework agreement - coupled with the approval by Government last week of the DART+ Business Case - for the future of rail transport in Ireland and our wider sustainable transport network cannot be overstated. This framework agreement with Alstom, and the associated infrastructure investment under DART+, will be central to a transformative change for our services and for our customers, and will help us in Iarnród Éireann to achieve our ambition of being the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network. We're excited to work with the NTA and Alstom to deliver expanded services in the Greater Dublin Area, enhanced facilities for our customers, and a cleaner environment for our country.'

"Chief Executive of NTA Anne Graham said, 'The signing of this contract today is a clear indication of the real progress that is being made in developing a public transport service that will meet and exceed the transport requirements of people in this region for years and decades to come.

"I have no doubt that the DART+ as a programme of projects will prove to be transformative for the entire region, and work is already proceeding well on progressing the infrastructure schemes. But communities along these lines shouldn’t be asked to wait any longer than is necessary, and by prioritising the procurement of this fleet, it will be possible to deliver extended DART services, even before the required infrastructure investment is completed.

"'In NTA's revised Draft GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042 that we published last month, we announced that PSO bus and commuter rail fleet in the Dublin Metropolitan Area will be 100% electric and zero-emission by 2035. Today's announcement marks a significant step towards that objective.'

"Global CEO/Chairman of Alstom Henri Poupart-Lafarge said, 'Alstom is delighted to have been selected to deliver the new DART+ fleet. Ireland is a very important market to us, and the new electric and battery-electric X'trapolis fleet is a big step for making rail even more sustainable while transforming the passenger experience in the Greater Dublin area and beyond. This order reinforces Alstom's position as the world’s leading innovator and supplier of green mobility technologies.'"

Irish And EU Citizens Prevented From Entering State Without COVID-19 Tests May Have Legal Case

Additionally, as reported by The Irish Times, passengers prevented from entering the Republic of Ireland because they have not got the correct COVID-19 test results have potential grounds for legal action against the state, lawyers say.

Airlines reportedly prevented Irish and EU citizens from boarding flights to the state last week amid confusion over revived rules that require travellers to have negative COVID-19 test results before arriving.

Lawyers reportedly say Irish or EU citizens refused in this way could potentially take a legal challenge, as they have a right to land in the country.

Barrister and Trinity College Dublin lecturer Patricia Brazil reportedly says that Irish citizens have a right to land in their home country and notes that the State cannot deport them.

EU citizens reportedly have the right of freedom of movement within the union. Individual states, including the Republic, can derogate from this on several grounds, including public health.

Brazil reportedly points out, however, that any measures taken in this circumstance have to be proportionate.

She reportedly stresses that anyone taking such a case after being barred by an airline would have to show that the business was acting on the State’s behest, rather than its own initiative.

Airlines can reportedly bar passengers from boarding flights for numerous reasons, including safety or not having the correct identification.

"This situation is still very novel," Brazil reportedly says, reportedly adding that the courts had yet to try the issue of whether someone without the proper COVID-19 tests could be prevented from entering the Republic.

David Kenny, associate law professor at Trinity College Dublin, reportedly agrees that Irish citizens have a right to land in their home country.

He reportedly points out that the regulations make it an offence for someone to arrive in the Republic without the correct COVID test result, so they do not appear to envisage airlines barring people without these documents.

Kenny reportedly also maintains that a passenger barred by an airline could take a case, but reportedly similarly argues that they would have to show the airline was effectively doing the state's work when it prevents them from boarding.

Brazil reportedly adds that various challenges to the controversial hotel quarantine introduced earlier this year showed the courts were prepared to give the State some latitude when it came to dealing with the pandemic.

The government announced early last week that it was introducing rules demanding that vaccinated travellers have a negative result from an antigen test taken within 48 hours of arriving in the State.

Those who are not vaccinated must show a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.

The government first said that it would apply the rules from December 3, but then changed this to December 5.

However, airlines reportedly subsequently complained that they were not told of the change until late on December 2.

Then they reportedly maintained that it was not clear if the government intended to apply the rule from midnight on December 4 or on December 5.

Two passengers who travelled to London over that weekend reportedly subsequently contacted The Irish Times to say that they were barred from boarding flights because they did not have the correct test results.

Ryanair reportedly stopped one person at a boarding gate in Gatwick, while Aer Lingus reportedly halted the second when he attempted to check in at its desk in the same airport.

Both had reportedly checked government websites before travelling and reportedly say these had advised getting PCR tests after their return.

The pair were reportedly forced to delay their return for 48 hours while they arranged antigen tests in London.

© 2021 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.