On Saturday at 17:02 Aer Lingus A330-300 EI-EIL flew over the Aviva Stadium at 1,400ft to mark the opening of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2024. EI-EIL, using the iconic callsign ‘Shamrock 1936’, took off from Runway 28R at Dublin and was radar vectored towards Killiney while descending to 1,200ft for the flypast. It then made an immediate left turn to track south and then east before being vectored for landing on Runway 28L. It then operated the EI137 to Boston later in the evening.
Behind the scenes, Aer Lingus has pulled out all the stops to ensure the seamless arrival and departure of the teams, management, and support staff. The airline will operate four special charter flights—two inbound and two outbound—using the Airbus A330-300 with a capacity of 317 seats. In total, 1,122 passengers, including players, coaches, and backroom staff, will be flown to and from Dublin for this monumental event.
The logistics are no small feat, involving 49 crew members, including both cockpit and cabin crew, who will manage not only the charter flights but also specialised Aer Lingus ground handling staff to assist with the check-in, boarding and loading of aircraft. Additionally, the airline will handle 1,720 pieces of luggage, including 600 kit bags, and manage 16,000 kilograms (16 tonnes) of essential cargo, such as training equipment and protein drinks, ensuring that both teams are fully equipped for the big day.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is a significant economic driver for Ireland. With an expected economic impact of €115 million this year alone, the event is set to inject substantial revenue into the local economy. Combined with the contributions from the previous two games, the series is projected to generate over €500 million by the conclusion of the current five-game series.
The lead-up to the game saw Dublin transformed into a festival of American football, with a host of exciting events including pep rallies, tailgating parties, live broadcasts, and cultural experiences that capture the spirit of the sport. Fans immersed themselves in the electric atmosphere and enjoyed a taste of both Irish and American traditions.
Main photo by Frank Grealish
