No joy for Shannon in Aer Lingus plans

A NEW chief executive and a new strategy were unveiled on Tuesday but it’s no change for Shannon from Aer Lingus.

Shannon hardly figured on the route maps and it is completely overshadowed by Dublin in long-haul plans for US flights in the future placed before potential investors in a high-profile exercise in London on Tuesday.
Having spurned the opportunity to make use of the only US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-inspection station outside of American territory since it came into operation in mid-2009, Aer Lingus is now citing the advantage of the Dublin CBP as a key element in giving the airline an edge in building a hub between the US and the UK in particular.
Even though the Dublin CBP will not be operational until close to the end of this year, Aer Lingus is making Dublin its centre of long-haul operations. In a further blow to Shannon, the airline has entered into a franchise deal with the West of Ireland airline Aer Arann to provide feeder services into Dublin from the West of Ireland and from points in the UK to be served by Aer Arann.
The treatment of Shannon has already enraged Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen. Deputy Breen accused Aer Lingus of abandoning Shannon when he voiced his anger and annoyance at the airline’s continued lack of interest in expanding the route network from Shannon Airport. Deputy Breen claimed that the airline’s London announcement has led to a doomsday situation for Shannon.
“The region could be left totally isolated with only a seasonal transatlantic service being provided by our national airline because they have consistently supported the policy ‘All Roads to Dublin irrespective of the consequences for this region’,” he said.
Deputy Breen added that to listen to the Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller point to the competitive advantage that the US preclearance facility in the new T2 will have for the airline’s plans to expand their long-haul routes from Dublin Airport was particularly hard to take when his Shannon passengers could have availed of the facility in the Mid-West since July 29 last, were it not for the indifference shown by the airline.
“I am angry and annoyed at the statement from Aer Lingus. We all suspected that they have no commitment to Shannon Airport, now they confirmed it. The signing of their new franchise agreement with Aer Arann will see the frequency of services and new routes development from Cork and Dublin Airports and our hopes appear to be dashed, with Shannon Airport not even appearing on their map in Phase 1 of their proposed short-haul franchise routes.
“The fact that they announced no plans to expand out of Shannon also places additional pressure on the Shannon Airport Authority as they race against time to try and replace the routes being abandoned by Ryanair. Recently, a number of concerned business people in the Glasgow area contacted me to express their concern that there will be no connectivity to this region if Ryanair goes ahead with their threat to axe this route and with no plans by Aer Lingus/Aer Arann to service Glasgow from Shannon, the prospects of retaining connectivity to Scotland’s biggest city does not look good at this stage,” Deputy Breen said.
The Fine Gael TD said in spite of this negative outlook from Aer Lingus, he remained convinced that the development of services from Shannon Airport can work for Aer Lingus.
“The airline has a very dedicated and loyal staff working at Shannon and an A320 aircraft is being based at the airport, increasing the frequency of the London-Heathrow service. They could utilise this aircraft more efficiently by adding additional short-haul routes to some European destinations.
“Aer Lingus should not shut their eyes to good business opportunities and even at this stage I would urge Christoph Mueller to re-evaluate the situation. Aer Lingus and Shannon Airport could have a very positive relationship, provided that Aer Lingus is willing to play ball,” he said.
Mr Breen stressed that the Government also has a role to play in this regard, “With their 25% shareholding, they should be encouraging the airline to look at the opportunities that are presented for growth development from Shannon. It should not be a case of all roads to Dublin.”
Deputy Breen’s call for Government action will be added to when a delegation from the Mid-West Authority meets with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey towards the end of February.