Ireland carrier Emerald Airlines announced on Monday they’ve reached a significant milestone of carrying its one-millionth passenger. This celebration comes less than one year after the airline launched and began commercial services.
Emerald Airlines flew its first flight from Dublin to Donegal on February 26th 2022. Here is what the airline’s Executive Chairman, Connor McCarthy, had to say about meeting this milestone:
“Today is a tremendous milestone for us at Emerald Airlines. Having only operated our very first flight less than 12 months ago, to have just welcomed our one-millionth passenger in such a short time frame is a really great achievement by the whole team here at Emerald.”
About the Lucky Passengers
The passengers happened to be a family —the Bradys. The family of four, travelling from Dublin Airport to Southampton Airport, were the lucky passengers representing this massive milestone for the Aer Lingus airline.
Emerald airlines awarded them four complimentary round-trip tickets that can be used on flights anywhere within Aer Lingus’ regional network.
Connor McCarthy said in a statement:
“We wish the Brady Family a really enjoyable trip, and we look forward to welcoming them on board many times more in the future!”
Emerald Airlines Plans to Increase Frequency on Popular Routes this Summer
As part of its expansion plans, the airline has set goals to increase the frequency on its most popular routes this summer. The airline also plans to sell more than 1.5 million seats during the holiday season and fly more than twenty-five routes this summer (fifteen from Dublin and ten from Belfast).
Emerald has doubled its frequency on the Dublin to Southampton and Dublin to Jersey flights. The airline also increased frequency on several popular routes, including Belfast-Manchester, Belfast-Birmingham, Dublin-Edinburgh and Dublin-Glasgow.
The Aer Lingus airline will also be debuting new routes — Belfast to Jersey and Newquay.
The Airline’s New Leadership
Interestingly, all the milestone news and expansion plans are coming as Conor McCarthy moves to hand over his position as CEO to Keith Butler in March 2023. Mr McCarthy will take up a new position as company Chairman.
According to McCarthy, his move to become Emerald’s executive chairman will allow him to seek more opportunities for Emerald and work with its partners in the International market.
Mr Butler, who has worked in air travel for 15 years and currently manages the recruitment and technical services division of CAE Parc Aviation, says he looks forward to working with Emerald in the coming months to drive the business forward and increase routes, passenger numbers and profitability.
Have you flown with Emerald Airlines? What are your thoughts about Emerald’s milestone? Please share with us in the comments.
