SHANNON’S connectivity to the US received another boost this week, with the announcement of a new Philadelphia service, which will run from May 22 to September 3 of next year. It follows the announcement of a Chicago service, that will also run next summer.

 

The new Philadelphia service will take off next summer, under the auspices of US Airways, marking the airline’s return to the route after a four-year hiatus.

The service will generate an additional 30,000 passengers, and this combined with the 20,000 due to travel on the Chicago, will mean a 22% increase in Shannon’s transatlantic services next summer.
Philadelphia is the sixth most populous city in the US and the service will operate on a daily basis with a two-class 176 Boeing 757 aircraft.

The services will depart from Shannon at 11.35am daily, arriving in Philadelphia at 2.05pm local time. The return flight will leave Philadelphia at 9.05pm, arriving at Shannon at 8.40am the next day. The service will use Shannon’s preclearance facility, ensuring speedy access to the US on arrival, something that will be helpful in making connecting flights beyond Philadelphia.

Welcoming the news, Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said, “This is a great boost for Shannon as it adds another new transatlantic service for 2013. We are really pleased also to be welcoming US Airways back to Shannon and look forward to helping them build a strong base of business and leisure travellers to and from Philadelphia, as well as cities that they serve beyond the gateway.

“Philadelphia is a major hub for US Airways and offers onward connections to 175 destinations in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean so this opens up huge opportunities in terms of markets to and from Shannon through Philadelphia.”

Andrew Nocealla, US Airways senior vice president of marketing and planning said, “As a popular destination in Europe, US Airways is thrilled to return to Shannon with a seasonal service from our international gateway at Philadelphia International Airport.

“Beginning next spring, our customers will again have non-stop access to both coasts of Ireland. Customers can begin their trip with the Cliffs of Moher outside of Shannon and end it with seeing all that Ireland has to offer. As an additional benefit, customers can clear US customs and immigration before departing Shannon, allowing for a quick and efficient arrival experience at Philadelphia International Airport. Customers who receive pre-clearance at Shannon Airport arrive as domestic passengers, are able to check their baggage through to their final destination and ultimately reduce the amount of time needed to connect to their next flight.”

The airline operated from Philadelphia to Shannon in 2003 and continued until 2009, carrying an average of around 46,000 passengers per year.

Declan Power, senior manager, Aviation Business Development at Shannon Airport said resuming a service to Philadelphia was something that had been a priority for Shannon, as the service had been successful in the past.

“We have been working hard over the last few years to secure the return of the Philadelphia service with US Airways and we very much appreciate all the hard work put into this by the International Planning team (of US Airways) in Phoenix. We will be working closely with the sales and marketing team here in Ireland to ensure its success and that the route will grow over the coming years.

“The Gathering 2013 has set a target of an additional 325,000 visitors to Ireland and this new Philadelphia service to Shannon will no doubt assist in a significant way in helping the tourism agencies to promote Ireland in the US over the coming months as we gear up for a festival of all things Irish.”
Philadelphia is one of America’s most historic cities and where the US Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. It remains one of the most popular history tourism destinations in the US, being home to the Liberty Bell, a symbol of freedom to Americans, which receives over two million visitors annually.

It has more outdoor sculptures and murals than any other American city while it is also home to Fairmount Park, the largest landscaped urban park in the world.

 

US Airways return gives hope for the future

The return of the US Airways daily service to Philadelphia is a vote of confidence in Shannon Airport and gives hope for the future, according to Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara.

“The good news comes hot on the heels of the recent decision by United Airlines to introduce a new summer service from Chicago. This all bodes well for a revival of the airport’s fortunes and provides increased access to the west of Ireland for The Gathering next year,” he said.

“It is very gratifying to see US Airways, which discontinued its service four years ago, now decide to reconnect with Shannon. Clearly, they see opportunity and a future for their transatlantic service,” the Labour TD added.

He congratulated the management and staff at the airport for persuading US Airways to return.

“This is a fiercely competitive marketplace and business is not easily won. It requires professionalism, excellent negotiating skills, patience and persistence. Airlines and passengers will pump lifeblood into tourism and business in the Mid-West. At a time when new structures are planned for the airport’s independent future, the omens are good,” Mr McNamara concluded.