Aer Lingus tells Varadkar it will not restart US west coast route

AER LINGUS yesterday informed the Government and other interested parties that it would not be relaunching a route to the west coast of the US in 2012.

Aer Lingus told them that such a route would be loss-making in the current economic climate.

This followed a story in The Irish Timesyesterday, which said that the airline had held talks with four airports in California about re-establishing a link to the region, which was cut in October 2009 when its service to San Francisco was axed.

On Friday, a spokesman for the airline confirmed to this newspaper that such a move was being considered by Aer Lingus.

“We are evaluating a number of options and we expect to conclude those evaluations shortly,” he said.

Aer Lingus rushed out the decision yesterday to dampen expectations that it might restore a west coast route to its schedule. No press statement was issued. Instead, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar and others were informed privately.

Aer Lingus had held talks with airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose and Oakland.

It had also discussed the matter with the Dublin Airport Authority.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce said it was “disappointed” by the decision.

“Such a route would have been extremely valuable to the continued development of our strong economic links with Silicon Valley and other west coast hubs of US companies with European HQs in Ireland,” said Gina Quin, the chief executive of the Dublin Chamber.

“Silicon Valley companies employ thousands of workers throughout Ireland. Employment alone has grown by 6 per cent in this area in 2010 and there is the promise of more to come.

“We believe that the lack of a route between Dublin airport and the west coast is a major obstacle for Irish companies in search of venture capital and for attracting multinationals from the west coast tech sector.

“We believe this route can and will be good business for an airline and Ireland.”

John Hartnett, founder and president of the US-based Irish Technology Leadership Group, which has lobbied hard to have a west coast route restored, described the decision as “grossly disappointing”.

“It seemed like they were moving along in the right direction and it’s very disappointing that they’re not going to do it,” Mr Hartnett said.