Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

XL.com brings west of Ireland a little closer

XL.com, the UK’s third largest travel company, has announced a new service between London Gatwick and Ireland West Airport Knock from mid December 2007, with seats already on sale. This is the 1st scheduled service by XL.com to Ireland and it will be the only airline to fly this route, with flights six days a week.

The XL.com Gatwick-Knock service has been launched following an avalanche of consumers on either side of the Irish Channel who wanted to see the route reopened. New generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft carrying 189 seats on board will operate England to Ireland flights, opening up the West, North West Ireland and Southern England to XL.com customers.

Knock and its surrounds offer a vast array of attractions, including one of the world’s most challenging golf courses and some of Europe’s best surfing, hunting and fishing nearby. Knock also houses the Major Roman Catholic Marian shrines that attract over one and half million visitors and pilgrimages each year. The unofficial arts capital of County Galway is an hour’s drive away from Knock, with County Mayo within a short distance for anyone wishing to follow in Pierce Brosnan’s footsteps and host their wedding in the spectacular Ashford Castle.

Martin Lock, MD, XL.com, commented: “We brought back this Gatwick-Knock route as a response to huge customer demand following other operators pulling out last year. The launch is part of our pledge to expand into Ireland, which commenced with a charter service between Bourgas and Knock in May 2007.”

The Knock from London Gatwick flight is the latest scheduled service route to be offered by XL.com with Malaga, Faro and Alicante booking now and flying from June 2008.

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Notes to Editors
- XL.com is the UK’s third largest travel company that currently offers charter flights to over 50 destinations from 12 UK airports.

- Ireland West Airport Knock served over 621,000 passengers in 2006 - a growth rate of 17% on the previous year. It serves 25 destinations in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. In order to meet its aims to grow annual passenger numbers of 1 million by 2010, the Airport is currently rolling out a 48 million euro capital investment programme having received an investment boost of 27million euro from the Irish Department of Transport.

- Located in County Mayo, Ireland West Airport Knock, serves a catchment area of 1.1million people from counties Donegal, Sligo and the border counties in the North, to Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon and Westmeath to the east to Galway to the south.

- Ireland West Airport Knock was twice voted the best regional airport in Ireland by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland.

For further XL.com information please contact
Olivia Gourlay
Talk PR
36 Golden Square
London
W1F 9EE
0207 544 3853
oliviag@talkpr.com
(http://www.xl.com/ )

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