The UK’s Manchester Airport has celebrated the departure of its first Aer Lingus transatlantic flight to Barbados. Travellers in the North of England can now enjoy two weekly flights to the Caribbean destination until the end of April.

The brand new EI 31 service departed Manchester on 20 October at 10.15 marking a major milestone for the Irish flag-carrier’s services from the UK. A Barbadian steel band, Band One, were on hand to entertain customers checking in for the inaugural flight.

From 1 December Aer Lingus will expand its transatlantic network even further from the UK hub with the addition of non-stop direct flights to New York’s JFK Airport. And on 11 December Aer Lingus will start its third new route from Manchester to Florida.

Karen Smart, Manchester Airport Managing Director, noted, “Not only is it great to see the airline put this route on at Manchester, giving passengers additional choice and flexibility for this popular destination, but it is also a huge boost for the region with Aer Lingus choosing uas as its first UK base for transatlantic flights.”

She added that the Irish carrier’s new routes will no doubt be hugely popular with the airport’s 22m catchment population. “Furthermore, the routes and base here at Manchester will be welcomed by the hundreds of people who will have access to the jobs created here.”

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