DUBLIN AND FARO FLIGHTS EXTENDED

IT was good news all round for Kerry Airport following the announcement its Kerry to Dublin service has been secured for another four years – an extension of one year on its previous contract.

The news was also boosted by the fact bookings are again open for Kerry-Faro flights after doubts for its future surfaced last week when people were unable to book flights to the Portuguese resort.

The Kerry-Dublin flight operates twice a day and is a vital service for Kerry Airport. It is a convenient link with the capital for business, leisure and an expedient way to connect with flights worldwide from Dublin.

Confirmation of the new Kerry-Dublin deal was announced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on Friday. The Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract was due to expire at the end of January but will now run until January 31, 2022 and will be operated by Stobart Air.

“We’re absolutely delighted with this as Kerry to Dublin is a very important link for us and the extra year gives us a bit more certainty,” said Basil Sheeran of Kerry Airport.

Management is also delighted to have secured an extra month for the Faro service which will now operate from June, July, August and September resulting in nine extra flights (four on Tuesdays and five on Saturdays). It’s thought the extra month will benefit people working in the tourism industry, affording them an opportunity to travel once the season starts to unwind.

Management say that in spite of last week’s uncertainty over the Faro service, customer demand was still ‘very strong’ and that there was no reason why it would not continue.

“There is a lot of repeat business on the Faro service and we’re delighted that people can now book a flight to Faro in 2018. The last week just shows how much you should never accept the first answer. Faro has been available since 2011 and it’s a route that really doesn’t have to sell itself as demand is already there,” said Basil.

It has also been announced this week that Norwegian Air International is to expand its Shannon Airport service to Boston and New York in 2018.