AN airline is to start flying again from East Midlands Airport after an 18-year absence by offering direct flights to Dublin.
Aer Lingus Regional has announced it will start operating twice-daily return flights between the Castle Donington airport and Dublin Airport from February 15.
The airline, operated by Stobart Air, expects to carry up to 70,000 customers in the first year.
It is hoped that the route will prove popular with customers as it offers convenient connection to Aer Lingus transatlantic services and US immigration and customs pre-clearance through Dublin.
The service means that passengers are treated as domestic passengers on arrival in the US and so avoid long delays often associated with security checks.
Simon Fagan, chief commercial officer for Stobart Air, said: "We are delighted to return to East Midlands Airport to launch this route to Dublin after 18 years.
"Derby, Leicester and Nottingham have thriving business communities. The availability of a twice daily return service to the business capital in Ireland means that business passengers will benefit from a convenient schedule which accommodates a day return."
