By Cahir O’Doherty

AER Lingus has announced three groundbreaking new non-stop services out of Ireland to the U.S. thanks to the new Open Skies agreement signed by the United States government and the European Union last week, will allow EU airlines to fly from any city in the 27 member countries to any city in the U.S., and vice versa.

The changes mean that San Francisco, Orlando and Washington’s Dulles airport will soon become non-stop Aer Lingus destinations for flights direct from Dublin.

The new Open Skies agreement has paved the way for the Irish national airline to significantly increase its U.S. destinations from four airports to seven, with further destinations now in sight. Is it also expected that the new routes will lead to dramatically increased air traffic from Ireland to the U.S.

The Open Skies agreement means that all European airlines, including Aer Lingus, will soon be able to fly their passenger planes to every major airport in the U.S.. The increased competition that will result between the major European and Americans airlines and destinations is expected to result in better ticket pricing for the buying public.

Speaking to the Irish Voice after the announcement, Aer Lingus’s senior vice president in the U.S., Jack Foley said, “This is a significant development because for the past 30 years the routes and airports in the U.S. have been strongly regulated – as was Heathrow in London, for example – in such a way that it meant it was impossible for major European carriers to offer direct flights to all the major American cities.

“Aer Lingus will respond to the new regulations by offering three new non-stop routes to the U.S. from (and to) Ireland, with plans for further expansion next year. At present we’re planning to commence the three new routes in November of this year.”

The Open Skies agreement will almost certainly mean the end of the mandatory stopover at Shannon Airport, which is expected to be quietly dropped next year. However, it is believed that the opportunity for European travelers to clear U.S. customs and immigration at the Clare airport will still make Shannon a relevant and profitable enterprise in the years ahead.

Critics have voiced fears for the viability of smaller airports, citing dramatically reduced air traffic. Supporters of the Open Skies agreement counter that it will increase flight frequencies, reduce fares and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Welcoming the confirmation of Open Skies, Dermot Mannion, chief executive of Aer Lingus said, “Aer Lingus has waited a long time for this day to be able to significantly grow long haul traffic between Ireland and the U.S. We are taking delivery of two new A330 long haul aircrafts this summer and, are financially resourced and strongly positioned to start three new long haul routes to the U.S. before the end of the year.

“As a result of the new agreement Aer Lingus can offer the increased choice of U.S. destinations that our customers want and that will contribute to the continued growth of Aer Lingus as a profitable and independent company.”

It is understood that Aer Lingus and Air Canada have signed a separate Open Skies agreement that will allow the two nations to fly between any cities they designate in the two countries.

Commenting on the agreement, Annette Devine, President of the Irish Hotels Federation said, “Ratification of the Open Skies agreement will have tremendous benefits all round for Irish tourism, making it easier for American visitors to get here. American holidaymakers spend longer in Ireland than any other nationality and also tour more extensively to different parts of the country. They also spend more with the average U.S. visitor spending €800 compared to less than €500 for other overseas visitors.”

Shares in Aer Lingus hit an all-time high of €3.35 during trading on the Irish stock market after the company’s announcement.