Dublin Airport is set for another record-breaking year for transatlantic traffic in 2014. Last year, a record 1.9 million passengers travelled between Dublin and North America, but this total is likely to be higher this year, with new routes to San Francisco, Toronto, and St John’s, Newfoundland.
The launch of these new long-haul routes, coupled with additional capacity on existing transatlantic services, will deliver a 17% increase in Dublin Airport’s North American capacity in 2014, as 320,000 additional seats will be available.
This positive news regarding extra transatlantic capacity is further boosted by the confirmation that US Customs & Border Protection will pre-clear all US-bound flights from Dublin Airport to the United States this year.
By availing of US pre-clearance at Dublin, passengers arrive in the USA as domestic travellers, making connections and onward travel easier and facilitating a much smoother entry into the USA.
During the peak summer months this year, 268 flights will operate each week from Dublin to/from North America, an average of 38 flights per day. A total of 220 flights per week will operate to/from 10 destinations in the USA, a 10% increase in capacity compared to last year, while 48 flights per week will operate to/from three destinations in Canada, delivering an 80% increase in seat availability compared to 2013.
“The number of North American routes and destinations from Dublin Airport is greater than ever this year,” a Dublin Airport spokesperson said. “This will provide fantastic choice and flexibility for North American visitors planning a vacation in Ireland this year and for Irish residents planning holidays in the United States or Canada. Aer Lingus will have new direct services to San Francisco and Toronto, Air Canada will operate to Toronto year-round with its new Air Canada rouge leisure carrier, and Canadian airline WestJet will operate a summer service to St John’s Newfoundland.”
