G-EIDY Airbus A330-302 msn 1025 Aer Lingus UK positioned Dublin to Manchester on Monday 19 October as EUK984 ahead of the launch of Aer Lingus first Caribbean destination Barbados the next day.
The inaugural service was operated by sistership G-EILA msn 1106. The aircraft departed Manchester as EUK931 at 1015 arriving Grantley Adams International at 1417 local and departed as EUK930 at 1729 local arriving Manchester 0612 local.
Aer Lingus will operate twice-weekly Airbus A330-300 flights from Manchester to Barbados Grantley Adams International on Wednesdays and Saturdays until the end of April, with an third weekly flight on Fridays commencing from 30th October.
Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton said “Everyone at Aer Lingus felt great pride to see our first direct, non-stop flight from Manchester to Barbados take to the skies. We know there is strong demand for direct transatlantic services from the North of England for flights to Barbados and we’re looking forward to seeing travellers and holidaymakers enjoying the welcoming Aer Lingus experience that we’re known for. Aer Lingus has a proud history with Manchester Airport, and today marks the next stage of our exciting journey with them: our new Barbados route, followed by the start of services to New York and Orlando later this year.”
Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins, said “Barbados is celebrating the arrival of Aer Lingus’ first Caribbean flight from Manchester to Bridgetown. Manchester Airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK and is easily accessible from across Northern England and Scotland, by road, air, and rail. Later this evening, we will be at the GAIA to receive the flight as she arrives with the first visitors!. Barbados has a long, shared history with Ireland, one which is of great significance and importance to the many Barbadians of Irish heritage. Aer Lingus’ new route from Manchester to Bridgetown allows us to further grow the relationship between our two countries. With connectivity from both Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, it is now easier than ever for Irish visitors to discover our beautiful island.”
Manchester Airport Managing Director Karen Smart said “It’s incredibly pleasing to see Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight to Barbados take off from Manchester Airport. Not only is it great to see the airline put this route on at Manchester, giving passengers additional choice and flexibility for this popular destination, but it is also a huge boost for the region with Aer Lingus choosing us as its first UK base for transatlantic flights. The routes across the Atlantic to Barbados and the USA will no doubt be hugely popular with the 22 million people that live in our catchment area, especially with the US opening up to British travellers next month. Furthermore, the routes and base here at Manchester will be welcomed by the hundreds of people who will have access to the jobs created here.”
Manchester Airport is the UK’s third-largest airport, and the largest outside London, serving more than 22 million people within a two-hour drive and handling more than 27 million passengers per year.
Image courstey of Aer Lingus
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 23 October 2021 All Rights Reserved
