Increased Shannon service to US welcomed

CLARE TD Pat Breen has welcomed the announcement of increased Aer Lingus services to the US.

“This is fantastic news for Shannon Airport and comes just after new CSO figures confirmed the number of American tourists coming to Ireland is up by more than 12%. Shannon and the wider region will now be in a prime position to not only benefit but further boost this surge in US visitors.

“I have been urging Aer Lingus for a number of years to look at ways to serve these US destinations year round and I am delighted this has now become possible through a deal the airline has reached to lease three B757 aircrafts. These are smaller, fuel-efficient planes, which can carry 188 passengers. They should be much better suited to the routes, as the airline previously had problems filling the larger A330 planes during the winter.”

Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins also welcomed the news. “Aer Lingus’ decision provides a wonderful boost to an airport that is slowly but surely finding its feet in the months since autonomy was achieved. One need only visit the airport to see how the entire atmosphere has changed there. The commencement of new services between the USA and continental Europe in recent months has given management at Shannon the confidence to push on and garner new business.”

He said it will benefit multi-nationals and tourism.

“A key factor in any multinational’s decision to locate business to this part of Ireland is based on the availability of year-round services to critical markets, such as the US east coast. Quality transatlantic connectivity is critical for multinationals operating in Ireland and for key decision-makers in existing West of Ireland companies seeking to make further investments.

“Quality connectivity is also the lifeblood of tourism and it is imperative we target transatlantic tourism to arrive into the West of Ireland via Shannon. This announcement allows for the growth in US visitor figures to this region, as indicated in recent figures from the CSO, to be sustained through the overseas marketing campaigns of such agencies as Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Clare Tourism Forum. I also would like to see tourism operators, including hoteliers, put attractive packages together to target this important market.”

Senator Martin Conway said, “After being unshackled from the constraints of the Dublin Airport Authority six months ago, Shannon Airport now has the best possible chance to succeed as it sets out on a new, independent path. This announcement is a clear validation of the Government’s decision to develop Shannon as an independent entity.

“The long-established links between the US and the Shannon Region will be further enhanced by this announcement, which offers a significant economic and tourism opportunity, as Shannon will be reinstated as a gateway to the Mid-West and West of Ireland.”