Restored historic aircraft returns to skies to mark 90 years since Aer Lingus’ first Bristol-Dublin flight

A restored vintage aircraft has returned to the skies to mark the 90th anniversary of Aer Lingus’ inaugural commercial flight between Dublin and Bristol, recreating the journey that launched Ireland’s national airline in 1936.

image: Aer Lingus

The aircraft, a de Havilland DH.84 Dragon known as Iolar – the Irish word for eagle, flew from Dublin to Bristol on 27 May, retracing the route operated by Aer Lingus’ first scheduled service exactly 90 years earlier.

The original flight departed Baldonnel Aerodrome near Dublin carrying five passengers and marked the beginning of Aer Lingus’ expansion into an international airline connecting Ireland with destinations across Europe and North America.

The anniversary flight follows a four-month restoration programme carried out at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in County Longford by Midland Aviation, supported by Aer Lingus volunteers and specialists in historic aircraft preservation. The project included extensive maintenance and certification work, engine overhauls and cosmetic restoration designed to preserve the aircraft's historical authenticity.

Although the original EI-ABI aircraft used on Aer Lingus’ first flight was sold in 1938 and later lost during the Second World War, the restored Iolar is a sister aircraft of the same type and has long been associated with the airline's heritage. It was first restored for Aer Lingus’ 50th anniversary celebrations in 1986 and has been displayed at the airline’s maintenance headquarters at Dublin Airport in recent years. The aircraft has since been re-registered as EI-ABI, carrying the same registration as Aer Lingus’ first aircraft.

The commemorative flight also highlighted the enduring importance of the Bristol-Dublin route. What began as a single daily service operated by a fledgling airline has evolved into one of the most established air links between Ireland and the UK. Aer Lingus and its regional partners now operate multiple daily services between the two cities, supporting business, tourism and family connections across the Irish Sea.

Representatives from Aer Lingus, Bristol Airport and local government attended the anniversary event, which celebrated the role the route has played in connecting Ireland and the South West of England over nine decades. Bristol Airport noted that the Dublin service remains one of its busiest international routes and a significant contributor to regional connectivity.

Aer Lingus Chief Executive Lynne Embleton said the restoration was intended to reconnect the airline with its origins and preserve an important part of Irish aviation history. She said the project reflected both the pioneering spirit that shaped the airline in 1936 and its continuing role in connecting Ireland with the wider world.