Aer Lingus Taste of America 2024 Roadshow in Dublin

Taste of America 2024 Roadshow hosted by Aer Lingus and Brand USA with key sponsor for the Dublin event, Dublin Airport. The well-attended event at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre saw over 100 guests network with 18 US tourist board representatives and their partners detailing their unique attractions and cultures of their destination.

The Roadshow began in Belfast on Monday night and will travel to Limerick and Cork on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Stay tuned to ITTN for all the news and updates on the events!

The 18 US tourist board representatives and their partners included:

• Bloomington & Mall of America
• Brand USA
• Destination New England
• Destination Cleveland
• Experience Kissimmee
• Great Lakes USA
• Illinois
• Meet Boston
• Miami
• New York State/Dutchess Country Tourism
• Philadelphia and the Countryside of Philadelphia
• San Francisco
• Universal Orlando
• Visit California
• Visit Central Florida
• Visit Denver & Colorado
• Visit Orlando
• Visit Seattle and Port of Seattle

Aer Lingus & Brand USA Partnership

Sarah Beckwith and Holly Jordan represented Brand USA at the event and Sarah spoke to the audience. Ireland remained in the top 20 overseas markets for visitation to the US throughout 2023, finishing the year as the 17th highest in terms of overseas arrivals.

Ireland had the highest percentage increase on January 2019 arrivals in January 2024 within the UK & European markets, showing strong signs of a positive recovery.

Aer Lingus & Brand USA UK and Ireland will be working in partnership on the 2024 Brand USA UK & Ireland MegaFam. This is the first year Aer Lingus will be part of the MegaFam, in conjunction with American Airlines and British Airways. The MegaFam is scheduled for autumn 2024 and will host 60 agents across 6 itineraries covering multiple states across America.

Dublin Airport Update to the Travel Trade

Ireland’s busiest airport saw 31.91m passengers across 241,595 flights pass through the two terminals of Dublin Airport in 2023 (in compliance with the 32 million terminals cap).

97% of passengers passing through security screening in less than 20 minutes – bettering daa’s own stated target of 90% through in under 20 minutes.

The busiest day of the year at Dublin Airport, and indeed in the history of the airport, was Sunday, July 30 when 121,000 passengers travelled through the airport.  

Dublin Airport to the US

Ciara O’Brien (Dublin Airport) delivered an update on Dublin Airport, focusing on the facilities and routes catering to travellers crossing the Atlantic to and from the United States.

2 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport in January 2024 and the outlook remains positive for the airport for Spring/Summer 2024.

There are 190 direct flights to the US per week, connecting Dublin with 18 US destinations. The most recent development is the announcement of the new Aer Lingus US route, the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado which launches next month & the return of Aer Lingus’ route to Minneapolis-Saint Paul later this year.

US Preclearance at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport is the only European capital city to offer US pre-clearance to departing and transferring passengers.

Dublin Airport’s all-day United States pre-clearance facility allows US bound passengers to undertake all immigration, customers and inspections at Dublin Airport.

Travelling to the US just got easier with the launch of mobile passport control at Dublin Airport. All travellers can complete part of their immigration before presenting at US pre-clearance, cutting wait times even further.

Dedicated US Pre-Clearance Lounge – 51st & Green

Located at the US departure gates, serving all US-bound flights and passengers.

• Opening hours 07.15 to 16.00
• Irish food with an American twist
• Barista coffee & cocktail bar
• Luxury shower facilities
• Discreet workspace
• High-speed wifi
• Breath-taking runway views

Pricing for customers is €41 per person if booked online while walk-up costs €45 per person

Developments continue at Dublin Airport

The daa recently unveiled details of 20 environmental sustainability initiatives being rolled out at Dublin and Cork Airports, which will accelerate both airports’ climate and sustainability-related ambitions, including achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The projects are also matched by a planned investment of more than €400m as part of the company’s recent Infrastructure Application to Fingal County Council, which will make operations at Dublin Airport amongst the most environmentally friendly of any peer airport in Europe.

The 20 initiatives announced by daa include:

• Making Dublin Airport diesel-free, with all owned vehicles previously powered by diesel switching to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
• The light vehicle fleets at Dublin and Cork airports to be 100% electric by the end of 2024.
• Improving air quality at bus stations at both Dublin and Cork airports with innovative photobioreactor technology.
• The fast-tracking of a shared bikes project for Dublin Airport.
• The completion of work on over 20 additional electric vehicle parking spaces at Dublin Airport.
• New interventions to increase rainwater harvesting, water reuse and the earlier detection of water leaks.
• Improvements in lighting and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
• daa is also participating in the government’s  “Decarbonisation – Reduce Your Use” campaign, which will play a significant role in engaging all colleagues as part of initiatives being undertaken this year.

Huge Array of Prizes for Lucky Prizewinners in Attendance

There was an extensive array of prizewinners with over a dozen prizes to lucky prizewinners. Prizes included Aer Lingus flights:

• Dublin to Cleveland return flights for two plus hotel stay and attractions in Cleveland with thanks to Destination Cleveland – Rachel McAnaspie (Tropical Sky)
• Dublin to Minneapolis return flights for two plus hotel stay and attractions courtesy of Bloomington and Mall of America – Mairead Keegan (Click&Go).
• Dublin to Orlando return flights for two with villa accommodation courtesy of Visit Central Florida – Darren Byrne (Cassidy Travel)

In addition there were lots of prizes including from Dublin Airport (hamper), Universal Orlando (goody bag), Miami (goody bag), Great Lakes (hamper), Discover New England (goody bag), California (goody bag), Illinois (goody bag), Philadelphia (goody bag), New York State (goody bag), Denver (backpack) plus a seat on a Visit Orlando fam trip and a €50 BT voucher from Brand USA.