Bradley International Airport on Wednesday will celebrate the reestablishment of nonstop trans-Atlantic service out of its Windsor Locks airfield with Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight to Dublin, Ireland.
Aer Lingus’ first 6-hour fight out of Bradley to Dublin is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. today. The departure will be marked by several festivities including the arrival of the aircraft from Dublin, which will be greeted by a water cannon salute. The cockpit crew will also display the Irish and the American flags upon arrival.
There will also be a European-themed celebration and speaking program, which will include comments from Connecticut Airport Authority and Aer Lingus leadership as well as Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman.
During the program, a model Aer Lingus aircraft will be presented as a gift to the state.
The long-awaited flight is aimed at furthering trans-Atlantic travel for Connecticut’s business community.
Aer Lingus will bring travelers from the U.S. to Dublin, Ireland, and back, but since Dublin is a major European hub, the extension of travel through it is a vital extension of Bradley’s services, said Kevin Dillon, Bradley’s CEO and executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which oversees the Windsor Locks airfield.
The state of Connecticut has backed Aer Lingus with $9 million in assistance if the flight losses money during its first two years.Â
