The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Over the May Bank Holiday, Shannon Airport had its busiest weekend of the year so far in what is expected to be its best season in a decade.
With almost 150 weekly departures, Shannon’s expanded summer schedule for 2018 includes new transatlantic, European and UK services and is set to deliver more passengers at the airport since it separated as an independent.
This weekend alone saw Delta Air Lines recommence its daily JFK service and with Air Canada to kick off its new Toronto service in four weeks’ time, Shannon will have its busiest transatlantic schedule for 17 years, with eight services operated to seven destinations.
With passenger numbers already up by 5% in the first quarter, the gains are being felt across all markets. The UK, also up in the first quarter, is showing its resilience despite Brexit concerns and is set to grow further as Ryanair launches Liverpool and Bristol services, as well as increase its Manchester frequencies, later this month.
Shannon Airport managing director Andrew Murphy said, “The May Bank Holiday weekend is one we look forward to for different reasons than most people, as it really signals the start of the summer holiday season, our busiest time of the year.”
