Aer Lingus Regional, the airline operated by Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann) saw passenger numbers increase 35 per cent last month compared to April 2013. The airline flew an additional 29,130 passengers in April, bringing the total to 112,435 for the month.
The late Easter this year and addition of three new routes contributed to the growth, the airline’s 10th consecutive month of rising passenger numbers. The airline has added Dublin to Jersey, Cork to Newcastle and Shannon to Bristol.
Stobart Air commercial director Simon Fagan said the airline has seen more UK-based passengers using Aer Lingus Regional routes to make connecting transatlantic flights from Dublin and Shannon. Mr Fagan attributed this to Aer Lingus routes to San Francisco and Toronto.
Passengers flying to and from Dublin via Aer Lingus Regional rose 50 per cent compared to the same month in 2013, while the Newcastle route helped Cork's passenger numbers return to growth, with a 13 per cent year-on-year increase. Passengers to and from Shannon Airport rose 39 per cent.
