Aer Lingus has marked its 90th anniversary with the successful restoration and return to flight of its historic de Havilland DH.84 Dragon, EI-ABI.
Affectionately known as Iolar (the Irish word for eagle), the rare 1936-built vintage airliner took to the skies today to recreate Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight from Dublin to Bristol—a historic journey originally flown on 27 May 1936.
The flight represents a remarkable milestone for the Irish flag carrier, which began nine decades ago as a fledgling airline with just one aircraft, a single route, and five passengers. Today, the carrier has grown to serve over 100 destinations across the UK, Europe, and North America.
A Journey Through History
While the original Iolar operated for two years before being sold and subsequently lost during the Second World War, the current aircraft is a sister ship that joined the Aer Lingus fleet in the 1960s. It was initially restored to mark the airline’s 50th anniversary in 1986, after which it served as a prominent European publicity tool.
The vintage biplane last flew in 2016 and had spent the last decade on display at Aer Lingus’ Hangar 6 maintenance headquarters at Dublin Airport. Late last year, a dedicated group of Aer Lingus volunteers stepped forward with an ambitious plan to return the aircraft to its former glory in time for the 90th anniversary milestones.#
Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Engineering
The extensive four-month restoration was carried out by Midland Aviation at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in County Longford, heavily supported by the airline’s volunteers and the Aer Lingus Charitable Foundation.
The project relied on a precise blend of archival research, engineering expertise, and traditional aviation craftsmanship to maintain the biplane’s strict historical authenticity. Key engineering work included:
- Engine Overhauls: Full top-end overhauls on both engines, including replacing cylinders, pistons, and rings, and overhauling the classic brass cylinder heads and magnetos.
- Airframe & Fabric Care: Treatment of the flying wires to clear minor corrosion before priming and painting, alongside structural repairs to the buckled trailing edges of the wings using Sitka spruce.
- Fabric Re-skinning: Re-applying a specialised synthetic Ceconite fabric skin across the wooden structure. The fabric was ironed to tension, sealed with multiple coats of tautening dope to ensure zero porosity, and finished with a protective silver UV-blocking pigment.
The project also highlighted traditional manufacturing skills, utilising the expertise of Brendan Dunu, one of Ireland’s last remaining aviation carpenters, to meticulously restore the intricate internal wooden rib and spar assemblies.
Looking to the Next Chapter
Speaking on the achievement, Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, said:
“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. From that first flight carrying five passengers across the Irish Sea, the airline today connects Ireland to over 100 destinations. The story we started in 1936 is still being written, and we intend to make the next chapter as innovative and groundbreaking as the first.”
The full story of the restoration, including behind-the-scenes footage of the engineering work at Abbeyshrule, can be viewed on YouTube.
