New Global Routes Boost Americas & Beyond
Aer Lingus, Air Canada, and Etihad Airways are gearing up to expand connectivity with exciting new routes that will reshape travel across the Americas and beyond in the coming months. These strategic launches underscore the carriers’ commitment to tapping into emerging markets and serving growing demand for international travel.
Aer Lingus Connects Dublin to Nashville
Aer Lingus is set to make history by launching the first-ever direct service between Dublin and Nashville. Starting April 12, 2025, the carrier will operate this new route four times per week using its state-of-the-art long-range Airbus A321XLR. This innovative aircraft allows Aer Lingus to open routes to secondary U.S. cities while keeping operating costs competitive. In addition to Nashville, the airline is planning a subsequent route linking Dublin and Indianapolis in May—a move aimed at serving key markets highlighted during Routes Americas 2019.
Nashville, known for its vibrant music scene and dynamic economy driven by healthcare, technology, and cultural industries, boasts a metro population of 2.4 million. Sabre Market Intelligence data reveals that the Dublin-Nashville market carried approximately 26,000 two-way origin-and-destination (O&D) passengers in 2024, making it the fifth-largest unserved U.S. route from Dublin. Larger unserved markets include Raleigh-Durham, Phoenix, Austin, and Detroit. For Nashville International Airport, Dublin will become the third European destination, joining British Airways’ London Heathrow flights and Icelandair’s services from Reykjavik Keflavik. Aer Lingus is also aiming to attract connecting passengers from the U.K. and Europe, leveraging the U.S. Pre-Clearance facility at Dublin Airport, which streamlines the travel process by letting passengers arrive as domestic travelers.
- Dublin-Nashville (DUB-BNA) Details:
- Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR
- Frequency: 4 times per week
- Start Date: April 12, 2025
- Distance: 3,893 miles (3,383 nm)
- O&D Traffic (2024): 26,905 passengers
- O&D Change vs 2023: +12.6%
- Average Base Fare: $520
Air Canada Launches Vancouver-Manila Service
Expanding its transpacific network, Air Canada will inaugurate its first-ever nonstop service from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Set to begin on April 2, 2025, the service will initially operate three times a week on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with a planned increase to four flights per week in May. This new route will be Air Canada’s 12th Asia-Pacific destination from Vancouver, joining major cities such as Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, and Singapore. The move taps into a market of approximately 149,000 annual two-way O&D passengers and leverages the strong business, tourism, and familial ties driven by Canada’s Filipino-Canadian community, which numbers over 900,000.
- Vancouver-Manila (YVR-MNL) Details:
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
- Frequency: 3 times per week*
- Start Date: April 2, 2025
- Distance: 6,555 miles (5,696 nm)
- O&D Traffic (2024): 148,780 passengers
- O&D Change vs 2023: +7.4%
- Average Base Fare: $658
Etihad Expands U.S. Network with Abu Dhabi-Atlanta
Etihad Airways is set to launch a new U.S. route this summer that will connect Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Starting July 2, 2025, the airline will operate four times per week using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. This addition makes Atlanta Etihad’s fifth U.S. destination, joining Chicago, New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. The route not only aims to attract business and leisure travelers but also leverages cargo opportunities between the Middle East and the southeastern United States. Although O&D demand between Abu Dhabi and Atlanta is limited, with only 3,515 passengers in 2024, a robust +24.2% change from 2023 indicates growing interest, and Etihad plans to rely on connecting traffic—especially from South Asia—to drive the route’s success.
- Abu Dhabi-Atlanta (AUH-ATL) Details:
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
- Frequency: 4 times per week
- Start Date: July 2, 2025
- Distance: 7,604 miles (6,608 nm)
- O&D Traffic (2024): 3,515 passengers
- O&D Change vs 2023: +24.2%
- Average Base Fare: $1,223
These new routes by Aer Lingus, Air Canada, and Etihad Airways are set to enhance connectivity across continents, opening fresh travel opportunities and fostering greater economic and cultural exchanges between the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
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