POSITIVE news has been scarce at Shannon Airport for the past two years but there was some encouragement on Monday as Aer Arann and Aer Lingus announced they would be combining to run four new UK services from July 1.
The move will provide 20 new jobs and will link Shannon to Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester.
This is phase two of a franchise agreement between the two airlines and comes two months after the launch of franchise operations from Cork and Dublin.
Under the agreement, Aer Lingus regional flights are operated by Aer Arann using its own ATR-72 aircraft and crew. All franchise flights are sold and distributed through www.aerlingus.com. Aer Arann assumes full operational and commercial responsibility for the services covered by the franchise agreement, with Aer Lingus receiving a franchise fee.
Paul Schütz, chief executive of Aer Arann, said that co-operation between the two airlines allows both to do things they couldn’t do otherwise.
“It’s a win-win for both. It allows Aer Arann to get its brand out. We wouldn’t have the resources to do enough promotion in the UK but Aer Lingus is a global brand. For them, their smallest aircraft is a 174-seater and the planes that will be used in this are much smaller.”
He forecast that the routes will be successful and will get support from customers. “I’m pretty confident that there will be a good level of traffic.
“We’re forecasting that 60,000 will travel on the routes by the end of the year. Fares are starting from €39.99 including taxes and charges and I think that’s a fair price. We would anticipate that around 150,000 would travel over 12 months.”
He said that Aer Arann may look at introducing further routes from Shannon, if the first four are supported. “Aer Arann is a small company, it’s pretty nimble and decisions can be taken quickly if we see opportunities.”
However he said it was unlikely that the airline will commence any more new routes in 2010.
While Bristol mightn’t be as obvious a destination as the other three, Mr Schütz said there is a sizeable market available. “Bristol’s catchment area is quite large, it extends into Wales and up to Birmingham. There are about six million people in the catchment area and there has been a lot of demand for the route in the past.”
Stephen Kavanagh, chief commercial officer at Aer Lingus said the link-up with Aer Arann was going well. “Aer Lingus Regional services have enjoyed strong support from customers in the short time since their launch. Aer Lingus welcomes the introduction of these additional services from Shannon and wishes Aer Arann continued success.”
Airport director Martin Moroney said the new links provide Shannon with vital connectivity to the UK. “We are delighted to welcome the Aer Arann and Aer Lingus franchise to Shannon.
“These new services will provide essential UK regional connectivity to Shannon. The establishment of sustainable air-services is our top priority and in this regard the UK market is of very high importance.
“We wish Aer Lingus Regional every success in the future and look forward to working with their team in developing their business for all our benefit.”

Routes announcement warmly welcomed

THERE was a time, not long ago, when the announcement of four new routes from Shannon would have been met with little fanfare, but there was a huge welcome for the Aer Arann/Aer Lingus announcement on Monday, with political and business leaders from the county all welcoming the launch.
In a joint statement Ennis, Limerick and Shannon chambers all welcomed the move. “The fact that Shannon Airport is announcing new routes, and through those, 20 new direct jobs at Shannon, in the current economic climate, is a very important development at a time when it is needed most as it will have a positive impact on tourism and investment. The UK is an important market for business and good connectivity is crucial if we are to build competitiveness and attract investment to the region,” the chambers’ presidents claimed.
They also called for the public to support the new routes. “Business is driven by supply and demand. Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, has responded to the supply need of additional flights into and out of Shannon by providing connectivity to regional UK airports; it’s now up to the business and tourism sectors, and the general public, to create and sustain the demand for these additional services. Passenger loads will determine long-term sustainability and route success.”
Shannon Airport Authority chairman Brian O’Connell said that the routes could draw in people from Britain who would use the US Customs and Border Protection facility at Shannon. “Aer Arann’s four new routes to the UK and Scotland offer an ideal hub solution for UK travellers to pre-clear here and transfer hassle-free on arrival in the US. This great facility offers Aer Lingus, its partner Aer Arann, and all of the business community in and around Shannon yet another opportunity to develop a brand-new access market to and from the US.”
Mayor of Clare Tony Mulcahy attended the launch and said Clare County Council would give the new venture what support it could. “We are delighted to welcome the Aer Arann and Aer Lingus franchise operation to Shannon. We are very appreciative of the announcement about the addition of four new routes today, which will help in driving long-term sustainability in the region. The county council is hugely supportive of the routes and we look forward to a long and profitable association with both airlines.”
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen was also in Shannon and he felt the new service would be a boost for the Mid-West as a whole. “I warmly welcome the announcement by Aer Arann, Aer Lingus and Shannon Airport Authority. This is a significant boost for Shannon and for the connectivity of the Mid-West Region as a whole. It’s a real vote of confidence.
“It opens new opportunities for business and makes the region more competitive and attractive for investment. Overall, this is a very positive development and I congratulate everyone involved in Aer Arann, Aer Lingus and the Shannon Airport Authority for making this happen.”
Shannon Development CEO Vincent Cunnane said that the regional development company would be getting behind the new services. “This announcement is extremely welcome in these challenging economic times and the decision by both airlines shows the appeal of Shannon and the West of Ireland as a holiday and business destination. These new UK air services will provide a major boost for the Shannon Region tourism industry and Shannon International Airport, adding to the business and tourism connectivity of the region. As the regional development agency and tourism authority for the Shannon Region, it will assist Shannon Development in our tourism promotional role. To support the new routes we will be launching a major marketing and promotions campaign to encourage UK visitors from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Bristol to holiday in the Shannon Region.”
Clare TD Timmy Dooley said that getting links to the UK was very important. “Over 50% of passengers on flights to Britain are people visiting Ireland from the UK so these flights are of immense importance. It is different with the flights to Southern Europe, which would be predominantly filled with Irish people going on holidays.
He said that the partnership between Aer Arann and Aer Lingus was very welcome and that the services might boost Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services from Shannon in the winter.