Irish airline Aer Lingus marked the 90th anniversary of its launch with a special flight operated by a 1936-vintage de Havilland DH.84 Dragon.
This flight recreated in detail the very first Aer Lingus flight, which took place on May 27, 1936, between Baldonnel, County Dublin, and Bristol, England, carrying five passengers onboard.
The 2026 flight departed from Weston Airport (ICAO code: EIWT), near Dublin, and landed at Bristol Airport (BRS), which is at a different location from the 1936 airfield. The flight across the Irish Sea took around two hours and 40 minutes at an average speed of around 170km/h.
The aircraft used for the celebratory flight is a rare example of a de Havilland DH.84 Dragon which is still airworthy.
The aircraft had been thoroughly restored in 1986 on the occasion of Aer Lingus’ 50th anniversary and has since flown on a few occasions to mark important milestones in the airline’s history. The latest time it took to the skies was in 2016 to mark the airline’s 80th anniversary. Its registration EI-ABI Iolar (“Eagle” in Irish) is the same as that carried by Aer Lingus’ first aircraft, although it is a different airframe.
The original Iolar was sold to British operator Olley Air Services in 1938. It later disappeared off the coast of England during the Second World War and is believed to have been shot down by a German aircraft.
Ahead of the 90th anniversary flight, EI-ABI Iolar, which had spent recent years on display as a museum piece at Aer Lingus’ facilities, underwent a four-month restoration to bring it back to airworthy condition
The restoration program, which included an engine overhaul and specialized carpentry work, was performed by Midland Aviation, an Irish company specializing in light aircraft maintenance, with the support of a group of Aer Lingus volunteers.
“The restoration of Iolar is a powerful way for us to reconnect with the very beginnings of our airline 90 years ago and the pioneering spirit that shaped Irish aviation. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and expertise shown by our colleagues and partners in bringing Iolar back to life, preserving an important piece of our history for future generations.” stated Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the press release marking this historical milestone.
