Aer Lingus will resume flights to/from Bristol to Dublin airport from Sunday, 1st August. Previously operated by Aer Lingus Regional, the route will operate five days a week, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with fares starting from £39.99 each way, including all taxes and charges.
Ireland reopened its doors for travel earlier this month and is the first country in Europe where fully vaccinated British citizens can visit without the need for any COVID-19 tests into or out of the country. There will also be no requirement to self-isolate if fully vaccinated.
Peter O’Neill, Aer Lingus Chief Operations Officer, said:
“We are delighted to recommence flights from Bristol and welcome back our British customers on board now that travel restrictions have been relaxed, reconnecting friends and families that have been kept apart for too long.
“We are looking forward to serving our customers once again and providing them with a warm Aer Lingus welcome from airports across the UK.
“We are delighted to once again be able to do what we do best for more customers – deliver safe international travel.’’
Dave Lees, Bristol Airport Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We are delighted Aer Lingus is resuming services between Dublin and Bristol. We have a long and established relationship with Aer Lingus since the first flight from Baldonnel, Dublin to Bristol Airport on 27 May 1936.
“The scheduled service will operate using an Airbus A320 aircraft, seating 174 customers which is a long way from the aircraft on the original flight back in 1936 which carried just five passengers on a six-seater De Havilland 84 Dragon, affectionately named Iolar (meaning eagle).
“Aircraft design has advanced, and this is a real demonstration of how far aircraft design and technology has moved forward and will continue to do so in the future.
“It is particularly exciting as the timing of the flight opens up the opportunity on Aer Lingus’ North American long haul connections to Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK) and Washington, with the added benefit of customers being able to pre-clear US Immigration and Customs in Dublin before stepping on board their transatlantic flight.
“This means they can arrive as domestic customers on arrival in America, saving time and frustration as all the necessary processes have already been completed.
“This is another demonstration of confidence in the region and the opening up of long-haul international travel when the time is right. We look forward to working with Aer Lingus on future opportunities.”
Upon arrival in Ireland, all British visitors will need to show proof of full vaccination, such as their NHS App Covid Pass, a vaccination status letter or their NHS vaccine paper card.
Customers without proof of vaccination will need to show evidence of a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arriving and quarantine for 14 days or a minimum of five days if they prove negative with a second PCR test, provided by the Health Service Executive in Ireland on day five.
Children under the age of 12 travelling with vaccinated parents/ guardians will not need to take a PCR test prior to travelling to Ireland.
However, children aged 12 to 17, who are not fully vaccinated, will need to show a negative PCR test result on arrival in Ireland, even when travelling with fully vaccinated parents/ guardians.
Earlier this year Aer Lingus introduced a range of new safety measures in line with the guidance provided by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control).
These additional measures include the mandatory wearing of face masks at all times, by all customers and crew. Social distancing is to be maintained at check in, boarding gates, during boarding and disembarking aircraft.
These procedures, along with an enhanced cleaning system and our state-of-the-art air filtration technology as standard on Aer Lingus Airbus aircraft, to ensure customers have a safe and comfortable flight.
Aer Lingus has introduced new ways to keep bookings flexible should travel plans change, with its ‘Book with Confidence’ proposition.
The flight timings scheduled will enable connections to/from Aer Lingus’ North American routes when the travel ban is lifted.
Aer Lingus is currently operating flights from Dublin to Boston, Chicago and New York (JFK) with Washington recommencing from 13th August 2021.