A new international airline is making its way to Colorado via Denver International Airport (DIA). The announcement was made on Thursday that Aer Lingus, an international carrier, is planning to establish its presence at one of the world’s busiest airports next year.
Aer Lingus will be introducing flights that connect Colorado and Ireland, with the new nonstop service between Denver and Dublin expected to kick off in May 2024.
During an event at the Denver City and County Building, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, DIA CEO Phil Washington, and representatives from Aer Lingus shared details about this significant addition to the airport.
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Lynne Embleton, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, highlighted the advantageous position of Dublin as a gateway to Europe and emphasized the strong ties between Ireland and the United States. She noted that Aer Lingus is well-positioned to facilitate transatlantic travel and connectivity due to these factors.
Embleton also pointed out the importance of the Denver market, both for business and leisure travel. She mentioned that the new non-stop route from Denver to Dublin would enable corporate connections and enhance accessibility between North America and Europe, with Denver’s unique outdoor appeal adding to the travel experience.
The flight schedule is set for departures from Denver at 8:45 p.m., reaching Dublin at 12:30 p.m. the following day. Return flights from Dublin will depart at 4:15 p.m. and land in Denver at 7 p.m.
DIA CEO Phil Washington expressed enthusiasm about this new collaboration, stating that Aer Lingus’ arrival as DIA’s latest airline partner is anticipated with excitement.
Mayor Johnston shared his personal connection to the announcement, expressing his anticipation to reconnect Denver residents with their Irish roots through these direct flights.
In addition to the personal and cultural connections, the new service is expected to boost economic ties between the two regions. Mayor Johnston noted that Ireland presents significant trade and investment opportunities for Denver’s key industries, and this new service could foster increased collaboration and exchange.
The announcement comes amidst a backdrop of impressive achievements for Denver International Airport. June 2023 saw record-breaking passenger traffic, with over 6.7 million passengers served, surpassing the previous record set in July 2019. The passenger volume for June 2023 marked an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year.
This trend of growth extended to the first half of the year, where passenger traffic exceeded 36.5 million passengers, an all-time high for that period. This signified a notable 13.6% increase from the first half of the previous year. June 2023 was also a standout month for international passenger traffic, accommodating nearly 400,000 travelers.
In conclusion, the introduction of Aer Lingus’ services and the consistent growth in passenger traffic reflect the increasing significance of Denver International Airport as a key hub for both domestic and international travel.