Another Sign that Travel is Rebounding Big Time!

From the Boston Herald:

Now boarding: Airline starts Ireland trips

American Airlines is hoping to cash in on a tourism boom with a nonstop flight to Shannon, Ireland, slated for takeoff in May.

More Irish travelers are coming to Boston to take advantage of the cheap dollar while Ireland remains a popular destination for Bay State travelers, airline officials said.

“It’s a place we’ve been looking at for a couple of years and, given the growth in the market, we felt it was time to offer the service ourselves,” said Jim Carter, American Airlines’ regional sales director.

The airline books flights to Shannon through partner Aer Lingus. That airline is expected to continue its existing flights.

“It’s a sign of confidence in the travel industry,” said Michael Quinlin, of the Boston Irish Tourism Association. “We anticipate that two airline carriers will only increase traffic between the two areas rather than compete for a static number of passengers.”

American Airlines is modeling the service after its popular Boston-to-Manchester, England, flights that started last May. All seats on the smaller 757 planes will be sold as coach fares.

Flights will run seven days a week during peak season and five days a week the rest of the year.