New Shannon-Glasgow route announced

SHANNON has secured its first new route as an independent entity, with Wednesday’s announcement of a new Flybe service to Glasgow, to commence on May 2.
The new flights will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and are expected to generate some 10,000 additional passengers for Shannon this year.
Flybe is Europe’s largest regional airline and Shannon Airport Authority chairman Rose Hynes welcomed the new route. “We said that the immediate focus of an independent Shannon would be passenger growth. This is a good start and there will be more to come.”
Shannon’s managing director, Mary Considine, said it was an important development and that securing a link with a new airline is significant. “This is excellent news for Shannon Airport as it not alone delivers a new route to Glasgow but also a new airline customer to the premier gateway airport for the West of Ireland.
“The Glasgow route was last operated in October 2011 and we are delighted to restore links there once again, not least with a strong marketing programme in place to ensure the service is a success. This new service now means we have access to Scotland’s two premier destinations, with the Glasgow flights in addition to our existing Edinburgh service.
“This is a really good start to the year, coming so soon after Shannon’s independence was delivered on January 1. Together with new routes commencing this year to Chicago, Philadelphia and Faro, we are already on a strong growth path for 2013.”
Declan Power, head of aviation development at Shannon, said Shannon will be looking to develop further services with Flybe. “We are delighted to secure the services of Flybe in the UK market and we will be working with the airline to expand its services further, in keeping with our strategy of developing a strong mix of airlines with a range of viable and sustainable services. The airport will continue to focus on developing routes that have the ability to satisfy consumer demand and deliver tourism and business growth to the region.”
The Scottish city is an important destination, he claimed. “Glasgow is an excellent service, with two-way demand. It is an extremely attractive destination; it has a huge cultural heartbeat and was Europe’s first City of Culture. There is a very strong Irish tradition there as well, not least built around Glasgow Celtic Football Club. On the flip side, the Glasgow market is a really strong opportunity for tourism into the wider West of Ireland region and we are delighted to be able to deliver this service for tourism interests here to take advantage of. The new service is also very timely this year in the context of The Gathering.”
Flybe director of marketing, Simon Lilley, expressed confidence about the new route. “We have every confidence this additional new service will prove successful in offering an attractive and affordable way for travellers to access this growing business and leisure destination that is widely regarded as the West of Ireland’s premier gateway.”