OREANDA-NEWS. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) welcomed Aer Lingus' first arrival from Dublin today, with an honor salute from the San Francisco Fire Department and a reception event. Aer Lingus plans to operate flights between SFO and Dublin five days a week.

“I am proud to welcome Aer Lingus to SFO,” said Airport Director John L. Martin. “This new service gives customers more choices; seamless connection opportunities to more than 100 cities in the United States, and access to more than 70 Aer Lingus departures from Dublin.”

“Today is a very special day for Aer Lingus,” said Aer Lingus Chairman Christoph Mueller. “Our direct flight from San Francisco to Dublin forms a major part of our 2014 transatlantic growth plan and is a very positive development for our airline and for the relationship between Ireland and California in terms of business, tourism and employment. San Francisco's Silicon Valley is home to many of the world's largest technology companies, many of which have their European headquarters in Ireland. Our operation of this new route will further strengthen Ireland's bonds with the U.S. West Coast. We look forward to welcoming our new Californian customers on board.”

“San Francisco maintains strong cultural and economic ties with Ireland and I am thrilled that Aer Lingus has established a non-stop flight from Dublin to SFO that will bring us even closer together,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “This new route will help support our tourism economy and provide additional economic development opportunities between Ireland and San Francisco.”

Aer Lingus, the flag carrier of Ireland, will operate an Airbus A330-200 with 267 total seats, made up of 24 Business Class and 243 Economy Class seats. The flight, which will operate five days a week, is scheduled to arrive at 3:20 p.m. and depart at 5:20 p.m.