DUBLIN has got its first scheduled flight to Vancouver, courtesy of low cost airline flyglobespan.

The award-winning airline will operate a weekly flight every Monday to Vancouver from now until September.

Jim, Kay and son Alan Chawke from Limerick were the first passengers to check in for the flyglobespan flight and were delighted to be awarded with a voucher for €100 to spend at the airport, courtesy of Dublin Airport Authority

Mr Chawke said: "I have always wanted to visit family and friends that we have in Vancouver and it is fantastic to be able to do so from Dublin airport."

Commenting on the flight Rick Green, flyglobespan Chief Executive said; "This new weekly flight highlights flyglobespan's continued commitment to Dublin Airport. Demand for the new route is looking promising, but we have high hopes that this route will exceed all our expectations and very much hope that the local Irish market will prove us right".

Flights are available to book from €169 (one way excluding tax) with a choice of two great value classes on offer - premium economy and business, both offering in-flight meal service and entertainment.

Commenting on the launch, Robert Hilliard, Director of Dublin Airport said: "I very much welcome this decision by flyglobespan to fly the Dublin to Vancouver route.

"This is another valuable transatlantic link from Dublin Airport to North America and I am confident that this new service will further strengthen business and tourism links between Ireland and Canada. I look forward to working with flyglobespan to make this route a success."

The flight will also bring inbound tourism into Dublin, as Jayne Shackleford, Tourism Ireland Canada, highlighted: "We warmly welcome this new service with flyglobespan from Vancouver. Over 20 per cent of our Canadian holidaymakers travel from British Columbia. This service is in addition to the existing weekly flight from Dublin to Hamilton Toronto on a Monday.

For more information log on to www.flyglobespan.com.