Tourism Ireland has welcomed the announcement of new Norwegian Air International transatlantic services to Ireland for 2017, which will include flights to Cork (from TF Green Airport in Providence) and to Shannon, Belfast and Dublin from New York (Stewart International Airport) and Providence (Rhode Island).
These flights are to commence in early July and will help boost tourism from the US market. The total number of transatlantic airline seats this summer will be 60,000, from 20 North American gateways to Ireland, an increase of 20 per cent (10,000 additional seats) compared to summer 2016.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "Today’s announcement is excellent news for tourism to the island of Ireland for 2017. We look forward to working closely with Norwegian [Air International] to maximise the promotion of these new routes from New York and Providence. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism. Tourism Ireland is committed to working with Norwegian [Air International], as well as with Dublin, Belfast, Shannon and Cork Airports, through co-operative marketing, to drive demand for these new flights.
"In 2016, we welcomed a record 1.6 million North American visitors to the island of Ireland. Looking to the year ahead, we are confident that our strategy – combined with more airline seats than ever before from the US, a strong dollar, as well as the strength and competitiveness of the vacation experience right around the island of Ireland – will deliver further growth.”
