Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, has announced it will add a significant number of extra seats on its Dublin Edinburgh and Dublin Cardiff routes to meet demand amongst Irish rugby supporters looking to travel to Ireland’s Six Nations Championship away fixtures next spring.

The airline has added an additional 3,500 seats in advance of the Scotland versus Ireland fixture on Saturday, 4 February, including up to seven flights per day on match day. It is also doubling capacity on its Cork to Edinburgh route for the fixture.

In response to demand, Aer Lingus Regional is adding 2,600 seats between Dublin and Cardiff to cater for rugby supporters looking to attend the Wales versus Ireland game in the Millennium Stadium on 10 March.

In addition, it is also operating up to four flights per day from Dublin to Bristol, a popular alternative destination for rugby fans traveling to international fixtures in the Millennium Stadium. Irish supporters traveling from Munster can also fly direct from Cork to Bristol with one flight per day between the two cities on the Six Nations weekend.

Speaking on the announcement, Martin Saxton, Stobart Air Chief Commercial Director, said: “Sport continues to play an integral role in creating passenger demand across Aer Lingus Regional’s route network between Ireland, the UK and France, and in light of Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks, there is more of an appetite than ever before amongst Irish supporters to support the team at next year’s Six Nations.

“Therefore the additional capacity announced today is a direct response to the increased passenger demand. The additional seats will ensure greater choice and flexibility for our passengers, and will allow many more rugby fans the opportunity to cheer on Joe Schmidt and the team for Ireland’s two crucial away fixtures to Wales and Scotland.”

For more information on fares and flight times, visit aerlingus.com.