Pittsburgh lands direct flights to Dublin

Driving the news: Irish airline Aer Lingus announced Thursday it will start service between Dublin and PIT in 2026.

Zoom in: The new route will operate four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

• Fares start at $519 round trip, according to Aer Lingus.

Zoom out: The airport serves 63 destinations with the Dublin addition.

• That's up from 36 destinations shortly after PIT lost its US Airways hub in 2014.

Between the lines: Business ties between Pittsburgh and Ireland have been growing over the years, which officials hope will provide stability for air travel between the two cities.

• Local health care giant UPMC now has four hospitals across Ireland.
• PPG opened a manufacturing facility in Ireland in 2023.

State of play: The Pittsburgh Steelers' recent game in Ireland provided a chance for local business leaders to pitch the region to Irish officials.

• The Steelers have a marketing partnership with Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The big picture: Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato told Axios in October that attracting more business travel was key to adding more nonstop destinations at PIT.

What's next: Flights between Pittsburgh and Dublin start May 25.