Aircoach
Aircoach is an Ireland-based subsidiary company of FirstGroup. It provides airport express coach services from Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Greystones, Bray, Southside Dublin and Dublin to Dublin Airport and from Derry to Belfast International Airport.
| Parent | FirstGroup |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Dublin |
| Routes | 6 |
| Destinations | Dublin Airport Cork Dublin Leopardstown Greystones Belfast Killiney Galway Derry Belfast International |
| Hubs | Cork, Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Derry |
| Fleet | 90 |
| Managing Director | Dervla McKay |
| Website | www |
It also operates car park and staff shuttles for Dublin Airport[1] and other private hire contracts in the Dublin area, including services for Leinster Rugby and the Football Association of Ireland.[2]
The company expanded its reach to service Belfast International Airport and Derry from January 2023 following the purchase of fellow transport company Airporter.
History
Aircoach was formed in 1999 by John O'Sullivan, a former Bus Éireann employee. O'Sullivan sold 90% of the company to FirstGroup in 2003 for €15 million[3] before selling the remaining 10% for €1.5 million to FirstGroup in 2005.
Aircoach was awarded the Overall Logistics and Transport Excellence Award at the 2011 Irish Logistics and Transport Awards.[4] The company has also been successful in the Fleet Bus and Coach awards, being named the Irish Inter-City coach operator of the year in 2014[5] and 2018 and the Airport coach operator of the year in 2020.
In addition to its scheduled services, Aircoach also operates shuttle bus services at Dublin Airport along with contract services and is the Official Coach Supplier to the Leinster Rugby Team[6] and the Football Association of Ireland.[7]
Former Services
The first Aircoach route, the 701 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 700 Leopardstown route, with the stops unique to the Ballsbridge service being amalgamated into the 702 Greystones and 703 Killiney/Dalkey routes.
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
The coach fleet consists of 52 Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B11R coaches built between 2014 and 2020 and 9 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo vehicles which were delivered in 2023.
The bus fleet consists of 17 12.9m Volvo B8RLE MCV Evoras delivered in 2023 and 6 articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaro built in 2008/2009 for Dublin Airport car park shuttles, with two 2006 Wright Eclipses bodied Volvo B7RLEs, one 2013 Wright StreetLite and three 2007 Plaxton Centros used on staff shuttle duty.
References
- "Bus Transport Routes to Dublin Airport". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2008.
- "Aircoach's iconic blue bus turns green as FAI & Aircoach Announce Partnership | Aircoach". www.aircoach.ie. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- "Aircoach Announces €15m Euro Deal". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2003.
- "The irish Logistics & Transport Awards 2011". Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Ireland. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
- "WINNERS ALL AT THE FLEET BUS & COACH AWARDS 2014". Fleet Transport. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- "Aircoach - Proud Supporters of Leinster Rugby". Aircoach. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
- "Aircoach's iconic blue bus turns green as FAI & Aircoach Announce Partnership | Aircoach". www.aircoach.ie. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
