Aer Lingus is set to launch a new route to Indianapolis, making it the second U.S. destination that will be served by the airline’s new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
This move is part of the airline's strategy to expand its network by opening routes to secondary cities using the new long-range narrowbody. The carrier, part of International Airlines Group, has six A321XLRs on order and expects to receive the first two before the end of the year.
Flights connecting Dublin Airport and Indianapolis International Airport (IND) will begin on May 3, 2025, operating four times per week. It will become the sole nonstop link between Indiana and Europe, with onward connections to 20 destinations, including Paris, London and Frankfurt.
"Reopening a much-needed and frequently requested transatlantic route to Ireland will once again open new opportunities for business and leisure alike,” says Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
Indianapolis has been without nonstop flights to Europe since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 when Delta Air Lines suspended its route to Paris Charles de Gaulle after two years of operations.
Securing the Dublin route is part of Holcomb’s Next Level Agenda, which emphasizes expanding Indiana’s global business connections. Indiana is home to more than 1,090 foreign-owned businesses, including 52 from Ireland. Additionally, Indianapolis-headquartered Eli Lilly recently announced a $1.8 billion investment into its two Irish facilities.
Air service analysis carried out by IND shows an average of 545 passengers travel from the Indianapolis area to European destinations daily. By attracting Indiana's new year-round transatlantic flight, the Indianapolis Airport Authority estimates that this new air service could have a more than $50 million annual impact on Indiana’s economy.
Indianapolis will be the second U.S. destination to be served by Aer Lingus using A321XLRs. Earlier this month, the carrier revealed plans to launch flights to Nashville from April 12. Service will be 4X-weekly.
Aer Lingus’ sister carrier Iberia is the launch customer for the A321XLR, with its first flights between Madrid and Paris now scheduled for Nov. 1, having been pushed back from Oct. 28. Iberia’s first transatlantic link will begin on Nov. 14 between Madrid and Boston.
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