Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus regional routes, has increased seat capacity by 20 per cent on Dublin flights from Leeds Bradford Airport.

The additional seat capacity has been introduced to meet the demand of Irish and UK business customers that require choice and flexibility of flight times, facilitating onward connections to the US via Aer Lingus transatlantic services.

The increase will also benefit US bound passengers, who will be able to take advantage of the US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facilities at Dublin Airport, saving time and avoiding any delay in the US upon arrival.

Stobart Air will operate ATR 72-600 aircraft to service the flights between Leeds and Dublin. This additional capacity totals to an additional 1,700 new seats monthly across Monday, Friday and Sunday flights.

Ciaran Smith, Network Development Manager at Stobart Air, said: “These additional seats will ensure flexibility for our passengers, providing business and leisure customers with a wider choice.

John Cunliffe, Aviation & Commercial Director at Leeds Bradford Airport, added:

“We’re delighted to have added this additional capacity from Leeds to Dublin and I am sure these additional flights will prove popular for both business and leisure customers. In particular, this new mid-afternoon flight facilitates onward connections with Aer Lingus transatlantic flights, with reduced transfer times and greater choice of connections available.

“The investment of additional capacity by Stobart Air on the route further confirms the economic significance of the Leeds City Region, the largest economy in the UK outside of London. At Leeds Bradford Airport, we offer passenger routes to over 70 direct destinations, with onward connections to all corners of the globe and I am delighted to have welcomed these additional Stobart Air flights which will help to support the development both of Leeds Bradford and the wider region”