Cork Airport welcomes replica of first Aer Lingus aircraft

Cork Airport welcomed the Aer Lingus de Havilland DH84 Dragon to its facility this week, an exact replica of the airline’s very first aircraft from 1936.

The plane, given the Irish moniker ‘Iolar’ – meaning Eagle – paid a courtesy visit to Cork Airport to mark Aer Lingus’ 90th anniversary, in tandem with the airport’s 65th anniversary.

It touched down at the facility after 11am on Wednesday, flown under the command of Captain Garret Brady.

The flight was welcomed with a special escort from the runway to the parking stand by Cork Airport's police and fire service.

The vessel is an exact replica of Aer Lingus’ first aircraft, which flew the airline’s first ever route from Baldonnell in Dublin to Bristol’s Whitchurch Airport in May 1936.

Carrying five passengers on its inaugural flight, the journey took three hours, cruising at an average speed of 177 km/h. 

By comparison, a modern Aer Lingus Airbus A320 jet cruises at a speed of 829 km/h.

While the original ‘Iolar’ was lost off the coast of England during the Second World War, the replica plane joined the Aer Lingus fleet in 1986 as the airline marked its 50th anniversary.

It paid its first visit to Cork Airport in that same year, as the airport celebrated its 25th anniversary.

This year, the aircraft underwent further restoration and reprised its namesakes original flight route from Dublin to Bristol on May 27.

It is only one of three known examples of the de Havilland DH84 Dragons that are still flying worldwide.

Darran Dineen, general manager of operations, safety, IT and facilities at Cork Airport, said the aircraft’s arrival at the facility was “truly a unique and historic” event.

"This was the fourth such occasion that the aircraft has visited Cork Airport,” said Mr Dineen.

“It’s a doubly special occasion as Aer Lingus celebrates its 90th anniversary, and Cork Airport is marking its 65th.

“Aer Lingus is our longest standing airline customer, having a presence here since 1961, and we’re especially proud to join in the celebration.”

Adrian Dunne, who is the chief operating officer at Aer Lingus, said the aircraft's visit to Cork Airport comes at a poignant time in their shared history.

"As Aer Lingus and Cork Airport mark major milestones in their histories, it is particularly special to bring the Iolar to Cork and showcase this iconic piece of Ireland's aviation heritage to colleagues, customers and aviation enthusiasts," said Mr Dunne.