31 March 2023: The world’s largest Catholic pilgrimage to Lourdes begins next month and Smart Aviation’s comprehensive charter service will transport over 40,000 passengers to the universal place of meeting, prayer and celebration of life. The large-scale operation of charter flights will run from April 2023 until October 2023. The Smart Team provides charter flights for tour operators, who rely on our experience to provide exemplary service for their clients. Over the years, we have become an integral part of the Lourdes trips offered by our established tour operator partners as they know we can always find the right aircraft partner to suit their requirements and that we understand the needs of their passengers.  

Six million worshippers travel to the foothills of the Pyrenees each year, a place that offers hope and consolation to those in need of healing and peace. The world-renowned pilgrimage began in 1858 when the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.

For the last 18 years, Smart Aviation has been running a substantial charter programme to the Holy French town, with departures from Dublin, Shannon and Cork in Ireland, as well as charters from regional UK airports including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds and Southampton. 

Smart Aviation transports pilgrims to join in-depth programmes led by Spiritual Directors and coordinated locally with highly skilled teams. With over 22 places of worship to visit, including the miraculous spring in the Grotto that is famous for its healing waters, travellers can choose between short breaks or weeklong pilgrimages. With a huge demand, travellers are advised to book well in advance. 

Smart Aviation offers a truly personalised service and works very closely with the tour operators in arranging the flights. We are highly experienced in handling the most delicate of requests for clients on the pilgrimage including arranging wheelchair access, oxygen supplies for those with breathing difficulties,  meal requirements and dedicated handling agents.  

Smart Aviation Managing Director Mark Hawkins said: “This annual pilgrimage is so important to the worshippers that we fly to Lourdes each year and we ensure every part of our complex charter operation is planned meticulously, which is why we have been involved in this annual charter schedule for so many years now. Every year, I personally join a pilgrimage charter to interact with the passengers and ensure the high-standards we have set within the industry continue to be upheld. We want all our 40,000 plus passengers to arrive relaxed at the start of their spiritual journey ”.

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