Aer Arann Announces Expansion into Continental Europe

Irish carrier commences flights to Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Malaga, Faro

Friday 11 January 2008: Aer Arann today announced it has entered a franchise agreement with Nex Aviation. The franchise will add four new routes to the Aer Arann network. The new destinations are Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Malaga, and Faro.

The new services will come into effect on May 1st from Galway Airport and Waterford Airport.

Commenting on the announcement, Garry Cullen, Managing Director at Aer Arann, said: “Today’s announcement represents significant route opportunity for Aer Arann. These four new destinations will provide greater choice and easier access to continental Europe for our customers in the West and South East. In addition to the sun destinations, this route expansion offers services to Amsterdam Schiphol. Schiphol offers the best connections of any airport in the world, with more than 260 destinations in 91 countries.”

The new route expansion comes on the back of a franchise deal between Aer Arann and Nex Aviation. The services will be sold as part of the Aer Arann network. The 100 seater BAE 146-200 jet has leather seats and a generous seat pitch of 31 inches. This aircraft will operate alongside Aer Arann’s current fleet of 14 ATR turbo-prop aircraft. This announcement follows the 2007 delivery of two new ATR 72-500 aircraft, the first in a fleet of 10 to be delivered by 2009.

Mr. Cullen continued: “Aer Arann’s partnership with Nex Aviation allows us to expand our range and underpins the Aer Arann strategy of connecting regional Ireland to the UK and mainland Europe. Of course, the inflight experience offered on board will be the same high quality that Aer Arann’s passengers expect”.

Peter O’Mara, Chief Executive of Nex Aviation said: “Nex Aviation is delighted to announce this partnership with Aer Arann. The Aer Arann brand is firmly established as a household name, and it is a huge benefit to Nex Aviation. Connecting the two regions to a major global hub such as Amsterdam Schiphol is a significant development in access. We anticipate further exciting new routes to be announced in 2008.”

Amsterdam Schiphol Director Aviation Marketing, Jop van Unnik, said: “Amsterdam Schiphol is the fifth largest airport in Europe and offers the best connections of any airport in the world, with more than 260 destinations in 91 countries. We are delighted that Aer Arann has chosen to fly to Amsterdam Schiphol and offer great connectivity to the South-East and the West of Ireland”.

Waterford Airport Chief Executive, Graham Doyle said: “This is very exciting news for Waterford Airport and the South-East region. It brings to eight the number of routes offered by Aer Arann from Waterford this summer – with a choice of weekend, holiday and business destinations and excellent opportunities for onward connections, particularly through Schiphol, one of Europe’s main hubs”.

Joe Walsh, Managing Director, Galway Airport congratulated both Aer Arann and Nex Aviation on their announcement saying: “Connectivity is a key business need, these services Amsterdam Schiphol, Faro, Malaga and Bordeaux are a significant step forward in linking businesses on the western seaboard with Europe and the rest of the world. Galway Airport has become the airport of choice in the West for air travel within Ireland, to the UK and now to Continental Europe due to its convenience, range of destinations and the frequency of services.”

The new services will come into effect on May 1st from Galway Airport and Waterford Airport. Flights will operate daily from both airports to alternate destinations:

Monday: Bordeaux and Amsterdam

Tuesday: Malaga

Wednesday: Faro

Thursday: Amsterdam

Friday: Bordeaux and Amsterdam

Saturday: Malaga

Sunday: Faro and Amsterdam

January  2008