Concern for Aer Lingus routes

CERTAIN Aer Lingus routes from Shannon Airport may be at risk. It is understood that there have been talks between Shannon and the airline.

The routes said to be under threat include Paris Charles De Gaulle, Gatwick and the Aer Lingus Regional service to Glasgow. There is also concern that the airline might pull its transatlantic services for the winter season.
Deputy Pat Breen said he was hopeful that the Paris service, in particular, would be retained. “My understanding is that the Shannon Airport Authority and Aer Lingus are in talks and I’m hopeful that they will be positive. The difficulty with the Glasgow route is that it is close to Edinburgh, which is also served. London is also heavily served and my immediate concern is the Paris flight. I am confident that it can be profitable and it’s very important to Shannon as a hub airport in a central area of the city. One problem with it is that the timing is wrong and it only operates three days a week.”
Deputy Breen said he is confident that the Paris service could be retained with improved marketing, an adjustment to the flight time and the reduction in the air travel tax.
Paris Charles De Gaulle is one of Europe’s main hub airports and Aer Lingus only began flying there last December, after Ryanair stopped operating on the Shannon-Beauvais route.
Last summer, Aer Lingus announced it was suspending its transatlantic services for 11 weeks from early January 2011 until late March and it is feared the same thing will happen early next year. Deputy Breen said he hoped it would not come to pass and that he would be urging Aer Lingus to continue with year-round services.