AER LINGUS is planning to make a major investment in its airport services over the next 18 months.
The carrier is building new lounges for business passengers at Heathrow, Dublin, Shannon and Cork. These will be opened by the winter to give all business passengers lounge access.
Heathrow passengers travelling in the airline’s Premier business-class section currently do not have lounge access unless they are members of the airline’s Gold Circle frequent flyer club.
The completion of building work next year at Dublin airport will give Aer Lingus a dedicated check-in and departure area in the refurbished old terminal.
Its Commuter operation to UK regional airports already has its own area at the airport.
Investment from airports owner Aer Rianta will give all airlines more terminal space, extra aircraft stands and improved airport catering.
Aer Lingus is speeding up check-in at airports with the installation of machines to allow passengers to receive boarding passes without queuing at desks.
The ATB2 ticket machines will go on-line this summer. Dublin airport is expected to be first followed by UK airports.
The airline is also exploring ways of selling tickets over the Internet, but is expected to roll this out in the US first.