Shannon-Paris service takes off

THE new Shannon-Paris Charles de Gaulle service kicked off last week, vastly improving Shannon’s connectivity to the wider world.

Charles de Gaulle is one of Europe’s most significant hub airports, offering onward services to a huge number of destinations all over the world.
The new service also offers a new market for inbound tourism. There are now three weekly return flights between the two airports.
Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said the route commencement means the airport will be starting the festive season on a high. “This marks a real vote of confidence in the airport and in the level of passenger demand in the region. Paris Charles de Gaulle is an important European hub as it provides access not just to one of the most visited cities in the world but also to more than 200 non-stop international destinations.
“Based on historical demand, we were confident that we would quickly re-establish services to Paris and we are delighted that Aer Lingus recognised the potential and expanded its Shannon route network to include the French capital,” the newly appointed director said.
Shannon Airport Authority chairman Brian O’Connell said Aer Lingus is a highly valued airline partner and the new service, combined with the existing links to Heathrow, means Shannon has more connectivity than ever.
“Friday was a significant day for Shannon Airport as despite the extremely challenging global aviation environment, we have been able to re-establish what was an extremely popular route at Shannon,” he said.
“The airport management team have worked tirelessly to ensure that Paris continues to be a destination for Shannon passengers. Route development is an important element of our business plans and I am confident we will be able to announce further new services over the coming months, benefitting not just the airport but the entire region,” Mr O’Connell added.
The new flights will operate on Monday, Friday and Sunday departing Paris at 2.20pm and Shannon at 4.10pm, until March 28. From March 29, they will operate on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Paris at 10am and Shannon at 11.50am.
Shannon Development have expressed satisfaction at the opening of the new route.
“The commencement of the new Aer Lingus Shannon to Paris service is a good-news story and an important development for the Shannon Region business community and tourism trade. From an industry perspective, France is a key market and Charles de Gaulle is a vital airport in terms of doing business and providing additional onward connectivity. From a tourism perspective, France is Ireland’s second largest tourism market in Europe. The new service will greatly assist Shannon Development in its tourism marketing role to attract additional French holidaymakers to the Shannon Region. We are already working closely with Tourism Ireland and Aer Lingus to promote the new air service,” the Shannon Airport Authority chairman concluded.