• Galway Independent: Fly Galway to the Costa del Sol
• Galway Advertiser: Jet off to the sun from Galway Airport
• Euromanx

Galway people, tired of the dismal Irish weather, could be in the sun in less than four hours from April, when a new airline commences direct flights from Galway to Malaga in the South of Spain.

Isle of Man based airline, Euromanx announced this week that it is to commence direct flights out of Galway Airport to a number of European destinations on Monday 18 April. Initially the airline will operate up to two daily services to London City Airport, a direct service to Paris, Charles de Gaulle and direct flights to Malaga in Spain. The routes will be operated by an 82 seat Avro RJ 70, four engine jet aircraft.

The service to Malaga will operate on Sundays and Wednesdays, while the Paris service will run on Mondays and Fridays. The London service will run every morning at 7.40am, with a return flight at 21.50 each day.

Galway Airport General Manager Jarlath Feeney told the Galway Independent that the Airport was very confident that the new Charles de Gaulle service would prove very popular for both out-going and incoming flights. The new London City Airport service would also open up a new type of market, ferrying people taking city breaks and corporate passengers, who wanted to get into and out of London on the same day. However, most of the Malaga traffic would originate in the West, he felt

Mr Feeney said the move was big news for the Airport, demonstrating that it could now fly to a multitude of European destinations. Flights to locations such as Germany, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Prague were all now possible.

“We will be selling the concept of convenience for Galway people or people based in the West, who can be at airport in short period. They could go from Galway to the Costa del Sol in four hours, including the three hours flying time. This is a major step forward for us, and opens up a huge range of possibilities for Galway.” The Airport, he added had already engaged with Ireland West Tourism and Enterprise Ireland on the new routes.

Euromanx CEO Mr Warren Seymour said the airline would be delivering a “punctual, reliable and affordable service with high levels of cabin comfort and warm hospitality.”

“The addition of a direct service to Malaga from Galway offers passengers from the West of Ireland the unique ability to avail of a twice weekly scheduled jet air service to one of the most sought after sun destinations in Europe, on the Costa del Sol. The service will offer the choice of a three night, four night or longer stay option. This development will be particularly attractive to holidaymakers, golfers, property owners and investors along the south cost of Spain.”

Because the aircraft would be Galway-based, the announcement would also create jobs in the region, as the airline intended to base a full aircraft support team and sales crew in Galway, he indicated.

Euromanx have also indicated that the move launches the beginning of a strategic programme by the airline that will eventually service many popular and much sought after European sun, ski and short stay city break destinations.

Galway Airport Chairman, Joe Higgins said that the investment in the runway overlay and new navigational equipment installed at the Airport last November had directly enabled it to market to jet airline operators. “It is very pleasing to see such an early positive result. This is a fantastic boost for business and tourism in Galway and the West of Ireland, offering an additional 120,000 seats.”

Galway Chamber of Commerce has also welcomed the announcement. Chamber President John Madden said access had been long identified as one of the key areas of concern to Chamber members, Chamber CEO Mr Michael Coyle said that he was very confident that the business community would strongly support the new services.

The newest announcement means that flights from Galway Airport now number almost 200 per week to ten destinations, with over 400,000 seats.