New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
Aer Arann adds four routes to the UK
Aer Arann has announced a significant expansion to its network with the launch of four new routes to the UK direct from regional Irish airports.
In Kerry, Aer Arann returns to the airport due to popular demand, to re-introduce its Manchester link, operating four days a week from 20 May.
The airline has also launched two new services from City of Derry to Manchester and Edinburgh, both also due to begin operating from 20 May. The Manchester service will operate seven days per week while the Edinburgh service will operate six days per week.
In addition, the current City of Derry–Dublin service will now operate at the earlier time of 07:40 arriving in Dublin at 08:30 offering significantly better onward connecting options for passengers as well as earlier access to the city.
As previously announced, the current Glasgow-Prestwick service from Donegal has been replaced by a direct service to Glasgow Airport, again to facilitate customer demand. Glasgow Airport is just 7 miles from the city and flights will begin operating from 28 March.
Welcoming the new routes, Aer Arann corporate affairs director Andrew Kelly remarked, “We are delighted to introduce these new and returning links to Scotland and the north of England direct from regional airports in the north and south of the country. The routes are proof of our commitment to serving these regions as well as a sign of our growth in the Irish and UK markets. We have listened to our customers and responded to their needs and we look forward to welcoming both these existing and new passengers on our services in the coming months.”
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