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Aircoach

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Aircoach
Aircoach bus in Dublin
ParentFirstGroup[1]
Founded1999
HeadquartersDublin
Routes5
DestinationsDublin Airport
Cork
Dublin
Leopardstown
Greystones
Belfast
Killiney
Derry
Belfast International
HubsCork, Belfast, Dublin, Derry
Fleet78
Managing DirectorKim Swann
Websitewww.aircoach.ie

Aircoach is an Ireland-based subsidiary company of FirstGroup. It provides airport express coach services from Cork, Belfast, Derry, Greystones, Bray, Southside Dublin and Dublin to Dublin Airport and from Derry to Belfast International Airport.

It also operates car park and staff shuttles for Dublin Airport[2] and other private hire contracts in the Dublin area, including services for Leinster Rugby and the Football Association of Ireland.[3]

History

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Aircoach was formed in 1999 by John O'Sullivan, a former Bus Éireann employee. O'Sullivan sold 90% of the company to FirstGroup in 2003 for €15 million[4] before selling the remaining 10% for €1.5 million to FirstGroup in 2005.

Aircoach was awarded the Overall Logistics and Transport Excellence Award at the 2011 Irish Logistics and Transport Awards.[5] The company was also named Irish Inter-City coach operator of the year at the 2014 Fleet Bus and Coach awards,[6] and Airport coach operator of the year in 2020.[citation needed]

In addition to its scheduled services, Aircoach also operates shuttle bus services at Dublin Airport along with contract services and is the 'official coach supplier' to the Leinster Rugby team[7] and the Football Association of Ireland.[3]

In October 2022, Aircoach acquired the Derry-based transport company Airporter.[1] The Airporter, which provided a shuttle service between Derry and Belfast International and Belfast City Airports,[8] announced in 2009 that its fleet would provide the first free wifi service on-board any coach fleet in Northern Ireland.[9] Following the acquisition of Airporter, Aircoach expanded its reach to service Belfast International Airport and Derry in January 2023.[10]

Routes

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Current Routes, as of 30th June 2024[11]
Route Origin Terminus Notes
700 Cherrywood Dublin Airport Via Leopardstown, Stillorgan, UCD, Donnybrook, Leeson St, O'Connell St, and Drumcondra
701 Ballsbridge (St. Vincent's Hospital) Dublin Airport Via Merrion Sq, O'Connell St, and Drumcondra
702 Greystones Dublin Airport Via Bray, Shankill, Loughlinstown, Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, Blackrock, Ballsbridge & Port Tunnel
704X Cork (Lower Glanmire Road) Dublin Airport Via Dublin City (Bachelor's Walk / Aston Quay)
705X O'Connell Street Derry (Foyleside Coach Park) Via Dublin Airport, Belfast (Glengall St), Belfast International Airport, Maghera and Drumahoe

Former services

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The first Aircoach route, the 701 Ballsbridge to Dublin Airport, was suspended after 14 years of operation in April 2013. Many of the stops on this service continue to be served by the 700 Leopardstown route, with the stops unique to the Ballsbridge service being amalgamated into the 702 Greystones and 703 Killiney/Dalkey routes.

A service from Ballinteer to Dublin Airport ran from April 2011 until December 2012, whilst the company also previously ran stopping commuter services to Belfast (2004-2010), Cork (2004-2012) and Portlaoise (2004-2006) to/from Dublin City and Dublin Airport.

Service 706/706x from Galway to Dublin City and Dublin Airport via Ballinasloe, Athlone and Maynooth commenced in July 2021 following the cancellation of Bus Éireann service X20.[12] However the service was withdrawn in April 2024 with the company stating they were unable to make the 706/706x commercially viable. [13]

On the 30th of June 2024, Route 703 was scrapped, with the service being amalgamated into Route 702. Route 700 was extended to Cherrywood from Leopardstown as a result. Route 702 now largely follows the old 703 route to Dalkey, while prior to this, it operated along the N11 from Booterstown. Route 701 was reintroduced on the same day.[14]

The Phoenix Park shuttle ran from May 2008 until January 2010 using East Lancs Myllennium buses which were powered by LPG.[citation needed]

Fleet

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The coach fleet consists of 52 Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B11R coaches built between 2014 and 2020 and 9 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo vehicles which were delivered in 2023.[citation needed]

The bus fleet consists of 17 12.9m Volvo B8RLE MCV Evoras delivered in 2023 which are used across the portfolio of Dublin Airport car park and staff shuttles services.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Dublin transport firm Aircoach buys Derry-based Airporter". BBC News. 26 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Bus Transport Routes to Dublin Airport". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Aircoach's iconic blue bus turns green as FAI & Aircoach Announce Partnership | Aircoach". www.aircoach.ie. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Aircoach Announces €15m Euro Deal". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2003.
  5. ^ "The irish Logistics & Transport Awards 2011". Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Ireland. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  6. ^ "WINNERS ALL AT THE FLEET BUS & COACH AWARDS 2014". Fleet Transport. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Aircoach - Proud Supporters of Leinster Rugby". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Airporter | Derry~Londonderry Bus To & From The Belfast Airports". Airporter.co.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Transport Minister Launches First On Board Wi-fi Service On Public Transport". Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  10. ^ "Derry/Londonderry Service". aircoach.ie. Aircoach. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Airporter is now Aircoach [..] Our new Derry/Londonderry service is up and running from January 22nd [2023] [..] Following the acquisition of Airporter
  11. ^ "Dublin Airport Bus Service Timetables | Routes & Timetables | Aircoach". www.aircoach.ie. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Galway Public Transport News". Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Aircoach to cease services to Dublin Airport from local stops". Shannonside.ie. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  14. ^ "More Aircoach Services For Greystones To Dublin Airport". East Coast FM. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
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