Aer Lingus announces partnership with Special Olympics Ireland

Aer Lingus has announced that it has entered into a Partnership with Special Olympics Ireland for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Aer Lingus as Official Airline will provide return flights for Team Ireland and TEAM 2007, transporting the 143 athletes, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers on board an Airbus A321 from Dublin to London Heathrow airport on 27th and 29th September and welcoming the team aboard on their return journey on 12th and 13th October from London Heathrow to Dublin airport.

In addition, the airline will donate a number of Premier class return tickets for auction prizes to help Special Olympics Ireland raise much needed funds for Team Ireland.

The delegation will receive a warm send-off before departure at Dublin airport. A dedicated check-in service at Dublin and London Heathrow airports will ensure that Team Ireland, volunteers and officials are securely processed through the airport as efficiently as possible.

Aer Lingus was the title sponsor in the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games which were held in Ireland in June that year. The airline's involvement with the the last World Games included all of the travel arrangements for the guests and Games' Organising Committee both in Ireland and the US.

Speaking at the annoucement, Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, said, "We are incredibly proud to be associated with the Special Olympics World Games once again, supporting the 400 athletes and volunteers as they make their journey to China. In addition to wishing all the competitors every success and enjoyment of the Games, I would also like to thank both the organising committee of the Games and all our own staff who have worked behind the scenes to make our involvement in the 2007 World Summer Games work in a really meaningful way.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those involved a very happy and successful Games".

Speaking at the announcement, Special Olympics Ireland Chief Executive, Mary Davis, said, "We are absolutely delighted to be renewing our association with Aer Lingus and we are most grateful to them for their very generous sponsorship of Team Ireland."