Aer Lingus to launch flights from Gatwick Airport

Aer Lingus will open its first base outside Ireland and Northern Ireland next year when it launches operations from Gatwick Airport.

The carrier is set to launch flights to the popular summer holiday destinations of Malaga, Nice and Faro, as well as the cities of Vienna, Zurich, Munich and Knock.

These new services will complement the airline's existing flights from Gatwick Airport to Dublin.

Aer Lingus plans to start its operations at the south-east airport with four aircraft and expand to a fleet of eight planes with the capacity to carry 2.5 million annual passengers within 12 months.

Dermot Mannion, the airline's chief executive, said: "The Gatwick operation will complement our existing services out of London Heathrow, and position Aer Lingus for growth as we roll out new routes and bases in future years."

Gatwick Airport commercial director Mike Luddy added: "We know Aer Lingus evaluated a range of airports across Europe for their first base outside Ireland and we are delighted that they chose Gatwick as their London base."

Aer Lingus, which is currently the subject of a takeover bid by Ryanair, recently revised its profit forecasts for 2009 to predict that it could break even or make a profit, having previously anticipated a loss of €20 million (£19 million).

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