Emirates increases capacity on Dublin-Dubai service

Emirates, which launched daily services from Dublin to Dubai in January this year, has deployed a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the service two months ahead of schedule. It follow a review of passenger load factors and aircraft availability. The 360-seat Boeing aircraft replaces the Airbus A330 on the route, offering 52% more seats. Emirates had originally planned to deploy the larger aircraft on the route from July.

Lufthansa launches Dusseldorf-Knock service

Lufthansa has commenced services to Knock (NOC) with the launch of a weekly service from Dusseldorf (DUS). The flight, which runs every Saturday from 5 May to 29 September, is operated by Eurowings on behalf of Lufthansa and uses an 86-seater Canadair Regional Jet 900.

Flybe to expand Belfast City services

Flybe is to double its services from Belfast City to East Midlands from two to four flights daily. Flybe is also adding extra capacity on its Belfast City to Birmingham service with the introduction of its Embraer 195 jet aircraft. The move follows the announcement of bmibaby's withdrawal from Belfast City from 10 June 2012.

bmibaby pulls Belfast and Knock services

bmibaby will cease its Birmingham to Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) service from 10 June 2012. The airport has confirmed that it is in negotiations with potential airlines to take up the route. bmibaby is also pulling Belfast City (BHD) services on 10 June. The routes affected are Alicante, Amsterdam, Birmingham, East Midlands, Faro, Ibiza, Mahon, Malaga, Palma and Stansted. Last year, a total of 420,000 passengers - 20% of the airport's business - flew with bmibaby. The announcements follow the sale of bmi to International Airlines Group (IAG).

New Dublin-Bournemouth service launched

Today (1 May 2012) marked the launch of Aer Lingus Regional's new Dublin to Bournemouth service. Operated by Aer Arann, the new service operates 6 times a week (daily except Saturday). Flights depart Dublin at 2.30pm and Bournemouth at 4.20.pm.