This IATA winter season, Aer Lingus announced it will significantly expand and increase its Dublin Airport hub, Euro-Leisure routes capacity and frequencies, in response to response to global trends showing a growing desire for autumn and winter sun getaways.

A MasterCard Economics Institute report titled ‘Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries‘ stated “Tourists in Europe are shifting away from peak summer (July-August) towards “shoulder” months (May-June and September-October). This shift makes continued growth in European travel possible as peak summer hits capacity constraints.”

The report added that “This suggests that it’s more than just hotter summers driving this change. Two major demographic shifts are likely also at play: more retirees (free from work obligations) and more households without children (free from school calendars).”

Alicante, Spain: Four flights per week through November, restarting in early March 2025.

Athens, Greece: Two flights per week through December, restarting in March.

Bordeaux, France: An additional flight brings the total to five flights per week.

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Two flights per week until late November, restarting in early March 2025.

Faro, Portugal: Operating four times per week. Faro becomes a year-round destination for the first time since 2018.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands: Four additional flights per week, bringing operations to double daily, making it a year-round destination.

Nice, France: Four flights per week until late November, restarting in early March 2025.

Palma, Spain: Three flights per week until late November, restarting in early March 2025.

Tenerife South, Canary Islands: two additional flights per week, now operating eight flights per week, making it a year-round destination.

Image Credit: Aer Lingus

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 7 August 2024 All Rights Reserved