A sale running to July 18 offers up to 25pc off European flights, with fares to North America from €199 each-way, when booked as part of a return trip.
Terms and conditions apply, of course, and sale fares provide varying value depending on the time and routes selected.
The offers on short-haul routes are valid for travel from July 20 to September 30, while the North American sale applies to flights from August 1 to October 6.
Aer Lingus bookings tanked during an industrial relations dispute with pilots that saw more than 600 flights cancelled over several weeks.
Aer Lingus pilots on an eight-hour strike at Dublin Airport on June 29 (Evan Treacy/PA)
Following talks, the Labour Court issued recommendations including a 17.75pc pay increase for pilots over a four-year period. Aer Lingus has said it would accept these, while Ialpa members start voting on the proposal tomorrow, with the ballot closing on July 23.
On the airline’s website, a red travel disruption banner has been replaced by sale notices, and sunnier language in press releases promises “golden beaches in Faro, the Olympic games in Paris, stunning Santorini sunsets, vibrant nightlife in Palma, or exploring the Côte d’Azur in Nice”.
Aer Lingus now flies 19 North American routes, including new services to Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Las Vegas – the latter set for take off in October.
Not to be outdone, Ryanair has also launched a new 48-hour “flash sale”, with fares from €21.99 available to book until midnight on July 17 on its website.
“Summer is delivering some amazing weather across Europe, and what better opportunity to soak it up than by bagging a bargain Ryanair flight to one of our 250+ destinations with Ryanair’s latest 48-hour flash sale,” said Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s Head of Communications.
Ryanair’s cheapest fares – try the ‘fare finder’ hiding in plain sight
Prior to the Aer Lingus dispute, one of the summer trends noted by Irish travel agents was an upswing in late bookings, and a dip in peak season airfares.
How the industrial action affects that remains to be seen.
In other news, Shannon and Cork airports are to receive a State investment of €4.225m to support sustainability plans.
The funding follows a mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, which supports connectivity through Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports.
Overall passenger traffic across regional airports last year was up 9pc compared with 2019, it found.
Going forward, actions will include consultations to consider the potential for a start-up aid Scheme for airlines to support more regional routes.
€5.6m in capital funding was announced for Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports this April, with further operational supports of €4m due later this year.
