Exeter Airport has launched new routes to North America which it expects will help boost the South West economy.
Irish carrier Air Lingus and its regional services operator Emerald Airlines have begun flying business and leisure passengers to New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington and Toronto, via Dublin.
It is the first time that Aer Lingus Regional will be offering flights between Exeter and Dublin, with connections flying four days a week.
The airport said the new route would allow passengers to board a flight in Exeter at 9.10am and be in New York “in time for dinner” the same day.
Dublin Airport is one of only a few airports outside North America with a US pre-clearance facility. Inbound passengers are treated as domestic arrivals in the US, and so avoid any lengthy immigration queues when they land stateside.
Announced in March, the new service has already been welcomed by South West business leaders, with “much anticipation” locally for connections to the US and Canada which avoid travel to a London airport.
Exeter Airport managing director Stephen Wiltshire said: “We’re thrilled to see the start of flights from Exeter to North America via Dublin. They open up a range of transatlantic destinations and regional air travel to Ireland for leisure and business passengers.
“We’re also seeing overseas bookings from people in Ireland and North America keen to explore Devon and the South West. So we expect the new route to be a boost for inbound tourism as well.”
Ciarán Smith, head of commercial at Emerald Airlines, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing more choice, convenience, and terrific value for both regional and transatlantic air travel from Exeter Airport and look forward to the success of this route.”
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