By Brendan Clay
Philadelphia’s connections to Ireland just got a lot more direct. At around quarter after 4 p.m. on March 25th, the first Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Philadelphia touched down at the Philadelphia International Airport. Its arrival at gate A6 was preceded by a gate event where representatives from Aer Lingus, Tourism Ireland, and the Philadelphia International Airport made statements. Members of the state and municipal government were also present, including Mayor Jim Kenney, who referenced his own Irish heritage when speaking about how important the opening of this airline to Philadelphia will be.
From left to right: Mayor Jim Kenney, State Rep. Kevin Boyle, Vice President of Tourism Ireland Alison Metcalfe, State Rep. Maria Donatucci, State Rep. Ed Neilson, PHL Airport CEO Chellie Cameron, Aer Lingus National Sales Manager Jeff Wright, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Director of Commerce Harold T. Epps
“We are happy to welcome Aer Lingus as our newest foreign flag carrier,” said airport CEO Chellie Cameron in a press release. “Our goal is to provide passengers with flight options and we’re proud that our new airline, Aer Lingus, provides people with a competitive flight to Dublin.”
Aer Lingus National Sales Manager Jeff Wright
Aer Lingus is Ireland’s flag carrier airline established in 1936. According to Jeff Wright, the head of global sales for North America at Aer Lingus, the past four years have seen them become the fastest growing airline in the North American market. In addition to Ireland, flights with Aer Lingus travel through Dublin to destinations all over Europe and to Abu Dhabi, according to the airport’s press release. Originally Aer Lingus had intended to only have flights between Philadelphia and Dublin four times a week, but because of demand they will be making flights daily after May 18th.
“The booking activity became so vibrant, we said well we’re going to put it on as a daily operation,” said Wright. “…What we’re looking at is Ireland as a natural gateway to the rest of Europe.”
Alison Metcalfe, who handles North America, Australia, and New Zealand for Tourism Ireland, says that opening up more air access between America and Ireland makes sense now because of the expanding interest in tourism in Ireland. Places like Philadelphia have residents with strong Irish roots which leads people to want to explore their heritage there, and the gorgeous landscapes are also a big attraction “Aer Lingus is obviously the dominant player in terms of they have more flights than any other airline servicing Ireland,” said Metcalfe.
Mayor Kenney spoke at the ceremony
A big attraction for vacationers in Ireland these days is what Metcalfe refers to as “screen tourism.” Most of Game of Thrones is shot in Northern Ireland, and the most recent Star Wars films have made use of the island of Skellig Michael off the southwest coast of the Republic of Ireland, as well as locations along the nearby Kerry coastline and elsewhere in the country.
Vice President of Tourism Ireland Alison Metcalfe and Mayor Jim Kenney cut the celebratory cake.
The event was catered with Philly cheesesteaks and shepherd’s pies, as well as a cake baked by The Night Kitchen Bakery and Café on Germantown Avenue. The cake was sky blue and Irish green and topped with a globe and a shamrock with Aer Lingus planes made of Rice Krispy treats at the base.
When the fleet B-757 plane arrived, it was greeted by a ceremony where two fire trucks sprayed an arch of water over it as it taxied to the gate. According to a representative from the airport, the plane departed for the first Aer Lingus flight from Philly to Dublin at about 6 p.m. later that evening.
brendanjamesclay@gmail.com