Aircoach

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Aircoach

Aircoach Jonckheere SHV
Slogan Travel in Luxury
Parent FirstGroup
Founded 1999
Headquarters Dublin
Routes 5
Destinations Dublin Airport
Cork
Dublin
Greystones
Bray
Belfast
Hubs Cork, Belfast, Dublin
Fleet 70
Operator FirstGroup
Managing Director Allen Parker
Website www.aircoach.ie
www.goaircoach.co.uk

Aircoach is an Ireland based subsidiary company of the United Kingdom based FirstGroup. It provides airport express coach services from Cork, Belfast Greystones, Bray, South Dublin and Dublin City Centre to Dublin Airport. It also operates contracted bus service for airport car parks.[1][2] and other private hire contracts in the Dublin area.

History

Aircoach was formed in 1999 by John O'Sullivan, a former Bus Eireann employee. O'Sullivan sold 90% of the company to UK transport company FirstGroup in 2003 for €15m [3] before selling the remaining 10% for €1.5m in 2005. As a result Aircoach is now 100% owned by FirstGroup.

The company was awarded the Overall Logistics and Transport Excellence Award in addition to the Safety Award at the 2011 Irish Logistics and Transport Awards.[4] The company was also successful in the 2014 Fleet Bus and Coach awards, being named the Inter-City coach operator of the year as well as being handed an award for investment in innovation.[5]

Aircoach Setra 315

Past Services

The first Aircoach route, 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 Leopardstown route, with the stops unique to this service being amalgamated into the Greystones route.

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.

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

Fleet

Aircoach Setra 415 in Vodafone All over ad.
Aircoach Scania in Belfast.

The company operates a fleet of 57 coaches to operate its scheduled services and 13 buses, including a number of articulated vehicles to operate the car park shuttle and other contract services.

The flagship Dublin to Cork express route is operated mainly using 10 Volvo B11R Plaxton Panther 3 coaches that were delivered in 2014. These wheelchair accessible coaches feature leather seating, on board toilets, climate control, CCTV and free wifi along with power and USB charging sockets at each seat.

The other scheduled services are operated mostly by a fleet of 20 Setra S415HD coaches built in 2004 and 19 Jonckheere SHV-bodied Volvo B12B tri-axle coaches built in 2008/9. All 39 vehicles feature leather seats, extended leg-room, climate control and wireless internet access. The Jonckheeres also offer wheelchair access, CCTV and a LCD passenger information system whilst the Setras feature a folding tray.

In addition Aircoach operate four 2006 Scania Caetano Levantes, three 2004 Scania Irizar Centurys and a 2005 Setra S315GT-HD.

The Dublin Airport car park shuttles use 2008/9 articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses. with a 2006 Wright-bodied Volvo B7RLE and a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Citaro rigid used on staff shuttle duty.

Aircoach in England

In August 2008 First Essex launched Stansted Aircoach X30, a service between Southend, Chelmsford and Stansted Airport.[6]

See also

References

  1. "Bus Transport Routes to Dublin Airport". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-20. 
  2. "Aircoach". FirstGroup. Retrieved 2008-05-20. 
  3. "Aircoach Announces €15m Euro Deal". Aircoach. Retrieved 2003-11-07. 
  4. "The irish Logistics & Transport Awards 2011". Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Ireland. Retrieved 2011-04-17. 
  5. "WINNERS ALL AT THE FLEET BUS & COACH AWARDS 2014". Fleet Transport. Retrieved 2013-10-29. 
  6. "Airport Services - First in Essex". FirstGroup. Retrieved 2011-03-02. 

External links

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