Flybe introduces new services from Cardiff to Irish airports

Regional airline Flybe has announced new services from Cardiff to Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

The airline is opening a new base at Cardiff airport, which will serve 11 destinations in the UK and Europe, including the three Irish airports. Other destinations serv3d include Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Faro, Glasgow, Jersey, Munich, Milan Malpensa, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The company said it is also to base two of its existing Embraer E195 aircraft at Cardiff airport.

Seats will be on sale from Friday along with the publication of full schedules.

Flybe signed an interline deal with Aer Lingus last year that allows travellers on the airline's flights from Britain to Dublin to connect on to the Irish carrier's transatlantic services using the same ticket.

Tourism Ireland welcomed the news, which it said would provide a welcome boost for tourism from Wales to Ireland.

“This announcement is more good news for tourism and we look forward to working with Flybe to maximise the promotion of these new flights from Cardiff. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism,” said Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland.