Aer Lingus Resumes Service from MSP Airport to Dublin, Ireland

Irish carrier Aer Lingus relaunched its nonstop Dublin, Ireland, service from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on April 29, four years after its successful first year of operations was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Aer Lingus passengers were greeted at MSP with festive Irish dancers and musicians, setting the scene for a celebration of the returning service. The first flight from Dublin arrived Monday around 4:30 p.m. in Concourse E and then departed back to Ireland a short time later. The resumption of Aer Lingus’ service, which originally operated in July 2019, fully restores all of MSP’s international destinations served prior to the pandemic.

“This route had strong demand before the pandemic, so we’re grateful to welcome Aer Lingus back with Dublin as one of MSP’s most in-demand destinations,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates MSP Airport. “Dublin is a key international destination giving travelers a strong entry point into Europe and dozens of connecting options for business and leisure travelers.”

Aer Lingus is operating its Dublin (DUB) service from MSP four days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) on an Airbus A330, which offers both business and economy class cabins. 
 
Aer Lingus Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Reid Moody said the renewed service reflects the strong connections between Dublin and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

“Aer Lingus is delighted to welcome the return of Minneapolis-St. Paul to our North American route network. There has been a noticeable demand from our passengers for the reinstatement of this route following the temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Moody said. “We are dedicated to offering passengers seamless connections between North America and Ireland, and onward from Ireland to the rest of Europe. The re-introduction of this route marks the airline’s full restoration of our pre-pandemic North American network and serves as testament to this commitment. Minneapolis-St. Paul is a significant business destination within the U.S. and we look forward to once again facilitating corporate links and connectivity between North America and Europe, through our Dublin hub.”

With Dublin’s return, travelers have nonstop access from MSP to 32 international destinations in 2024, surpassing the airport’s service level in 2019 just prior to the pandemic. And there’s an added convenience for MSP-bound passengers on the Aer Lingus route. Travelers can expedite their arrival at MSP by taking advantage of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s preclearance program at Dublin Airport.  

“The returning Dublin route stretches the nonstop international map for Minnesota companies to build business connections,” said MAC Chair Rick King. “Just as important, Aer Lingus’ service draws Europeans and connecting travelers to the Twin Cities, fortifying cultural, family and business ties that support our travel and hospitality sectors in the region.”

MSP has been named the best airport in North America for seven out of the last eight years by Airports Council International, through its ASQ global passenger survey program. MSP airlines will operate 252 routes to more than 163 destinations in 2024.