Summer starts early for Aer Lingus and Delta

AER Lingus is to commence its summer 2013 schedule from Shannon two weeks earlier this year, while Delta have confirmed they will recommence their Shannon-New York service on May 11.

Clare TD Pat Breen said that he had received confirmation from Aer Lingus that they will start the summer 2013 transatlantic schedule from Shannon on March 11.

 

“I have been critical of the absence of Aer Lingus transatlantic services for St Patrick’s Day from Shannon Airport over the past few years. I am delighted to see now that the Shamrock will be restored to the airport for St Patrick’s Day next year, particularly when we are celebrating the Gathering.

“This year their services recommenced on March 25 which was too late for Shannon Airport to benefit from the St Patrick’s festivities but next summer, this will not be the case with Aer Lingus direct services from Shannon Airport to New York and Boston restarting on March 11, 2013,” said Deputy Breen.

“Increased airline capacity into Shannon Airport is critical if this region is to maximise the benefits from the Gathering 2013 and these additional two week’s service constitutes a 6% increase in transatlantic capacity across the airline’s Shannon summer scheme, which is good news for the airport and the tourism and business sectors in the region.”

He said that while there will be a change to Aer Lingus’ Heathrow services, it won’t have a serious negative impact.

“I understand that the Shannon/Heathrow early morning service had been sustained through the leasing of a slot pair. Representatives of the business and tourism community have raised concerns with me in recent times that there was uncertainty about the future of this early morning service.

“Aer Lingus has now confirmed while the arrangement for the leasing of this slot pair has come to an end, this service will continue. however, as a consequence of the expiration of the arrangement, they are reverting to the Shannon/Heathrow early morning summer departure, which was 08.50 hours.

“When I expressed concerns that this timetable change could affect connectivity from the region, they advised me this early morning departure time maintains almost all the connecting destinations apart from Raleigh, Durham, Nassau, Agadir and Split.”

In a statement this week Delta confirmed that the Shannon-New York route will be recommencing on May 11, adding 2,300 seats per week to and from the US and is the latest in a number of significant announcements regarding Shannon’s transatlantic services for summer 2013.

Perry Cantarutti is Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and she said the route is important to the airline. “Shannon has long been a favourite destination for US holidaymakers and it makes sense to operate our service when customers most want to visit-during the summer months.

“Operating routes on a seasonal basis is a proactive measure we have taken to protect our revenues by matching capacity to demand. We look forward to flying thousands of US tourists to the west coast of Ireland next summer, boosting the local economy”.

Declan Power, Shannon Airport’s senior manager for Aviation Business Development said that Delta has brought almost 1.6 million passengers through the airport in that time.

“Following a very successful operation through Shannon this year we are very happy that Delta Air Lines will continue to serve Shannon during 2013. The support that the airline receives here in the Irish market as well, delivering business and tourism visitors from the USA to the West of Ireland has ensured that the route has remained viable and profitable for the airline.”

A spokesperson for Shannon Airport welcomed Aer Lingus’ decision to bring forward its summer schedule.

”Aer Lingus’ decision is very much welcome and is further evidence of the market demand for transatlantic services.  It means that Aer Lingus is operating on transatlantic to and from Shannon for St Patrick’s weekend next year, which is a major boost, not least with The Gathering focus.

“Together with recent announcements of Philadelphia and Chicago  services, this announcement is showing that the US market is steadily recovering.”