{"id":48571,"date":"2026-06-04T11:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T11:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/?p=48571"},"modified":"2026-06-04T14:21:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T14:21:48","slug":"aer-lingus-90th-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerlingus.com\/hub\/aer-lingus-90th-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Aer Lingus 90th Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

Ninety years ago, Aer Lingus took to the skies for the very first time \u2014 beginning a journey that would connect Ireland to the world. Today, that story comes full circle with a special tribute to where it all began.<\/h3>\n
\n

A piece of history takes flight: celebrating 90 years of Aer Lingus<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Every journey has its defining moments – and this one takes us right back to where it all began.<\/p>\n

To celebrate 90 years of Aer Lingus, a remarkable piece of aviation history has returned to the skies. The airline\u2019s original aircraft, Iolar<\/em>, has been lovingly brought back to life, recreating the very first Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Bristol \u2014 exactly ninety years to the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Back to 1936<\/h2>\n
\n

On 27 May 1936, Aer Lingus took to the skies for the very first time. With just one aircraft, five passengers, and a single route, that three-hour journey from Baldonnel Airfield to Bristol marked the beginning of Ireland\u2019s national airline.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to today, and Aer Lingus now carries over 11 million customers each year, connecting Ireland to the UK, Europe and North America. Yet at its heart, the mission remains unchanged: bringing people closer together.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

Meet Iolar<\/em>, the original trailblazer<\/h2>\n

At the centre of this milestone moment is Iolar<\/em> \u2014 meaning \u201ceagle\u201d in Irish \u2014 a rare de Havilland DH.84 Dragon dating back to 1936.<\/p>\n

While the original aircraft was lost during World War II, its sister aircraft, EI-ABI, lives on. One of the last of its kind in existence, it now stands as a powerful symbol of Aer Lingus\u2019 heritage and the pioneering spirit of early aviation in Ireland.<\/p>\n

\"\"Iolar Aircraft, credit to PL Ryan.<\/p>\n

\n

Restored with care and craftsmanship<\/h2>\n

For years, Iolar<\/em> has been proudly displayed at Aer Lingus\u2019 maintenance headquarters at Dublin Airport. In advance of the 90th anniversary, a dedicated restoration project was launched to return it to flight.<\/p>\n

Over four months, a specialist team \u2014 supported by Aer Lingus volunteers \u2014 carried out an intricate restoration at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in County Longford.<\/p>\n

Blending modern engineering expertise with traditional craftsmanship, the work included:<\/p>\n