Tag Archives: Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus’ decision to cancel flights between Shannon and Boston between March 29 and April 8, is not going down well in the county. In particular, reports that the Shannon service is being temporarily sacrificed to free up an aircraft to operate a Dublin-US service have not been met with a warm welcome in the Mid West. In a statement, the airline said the flight on April 2 is not affected but other services will not operate. “We are currently communicating directly with customers impacted by the cancellations. We have made a number of alternative travel options available to impacted customers, including alternative routings or alternative dates of travel. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and are doing all possible to minimise the disruption to customer’s travel plans”. Asked if facilitating Dublin services was in fact the reason for the Shannon cancellation, an Aer Lingus spokesperson said, “We have less long-haul aircraft available than are required to meet our operational …

The decision by Aer Lingus to suspend Shannon Airport’s only year round route to Boston over the Easter holiday period has been deplored by Clare TD Timmy Dooley. He said that the service cutback will have a negative impact on the hospitality sector across the West of Ireland. Deputy Dooley made the comments after Aer Lingus confirmed the linkwould be temporarily suspended due to operational reasons. Deputy Dooley said,“The announcement by Aer Lingus that it is cutting its only year round route to Boston during the Easter holiday period is alarming. The cancelling of flights between March 29 and April 8 will have a negative impact on the tourism industry across the west of Ireland. “Easter is traditionally a busy time of year for the hospitality sector and this service cutback will undoubtedly lead to a loss of business in the region. The disruption caused to tourists will also damage the image of Shannon and the west of Ireland for years to …

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today (Wednesday) outlined his position in relation to the current proposed offer from IAG for a takeover of Aer Lingus. “The issue of the IAG proposed takeover is complex, in that the best interests of the taxpayer must be balanced against long-term strategic regional development and connectivity. We have consistently stated that as a Government we will not rush to sell our minority shareholding unless the market conditions and terms of the sale were favourable to our stated policy interests. As an island, it is crucial we maintain and grow our aviation links given that 80% of passenger movements in and out of Ireland are by air. Coupled with this, Aer Lingus has long been of strategic and economic importance to Ireland, supporting significant numbers of jobs and in the top 50 of Irish employers. “As a Government we have considered and discussed carefully all aspects of this proposed takeover. As a County …

WHEN Aer Lingus announced it was removing Heathrow slots from Shannon in 2007 it was a hugely controversial move, strongly opposed by business and political interests in Clare. At the time there was speculation that the move was being made due to a secret agreement hammered out by the Government, as part of the peace process. There was little explanation from the airline itself, beyond saying that it was a commercial decision, something that many in Clare didn’t accept given the relatively high numbers that were using it. However, when Willie Walsh came before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications last week he indicated that Aer Lingus took the decision because a competitor, presumably Ryanair, was being offered more favourable terms. Mr Walsh referred to the matter, saying it may be the reason for the current concern about connectivity. “I can understand the concern that has been expressed, particularly the concern expressed in Shannon because of what happened with …

A delegation of County Councillors from the West of Ireland met with Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Pascal Donohue, T.D., in Dublin this afternoon to express their concerns about the proposed sale of Aer Lingus to IAG. The meeting was organised by Councillor John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council who was joined in Leinster House by Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and Michael Fitzgerald , Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council. While unable to attend this afternoon’s meeting, the Mayors of Limerick, Galway and Kerry have also backed the message delivered to the Minister which outlined that elected members in the West rejected any commitment from IAG that does not “explicitly guarantee” Aer Lingus’ long term commitment to services between Shannon Airport and London Heathrow, as well as transatlantic services. “At today’s meeting we stressed the necessity of securing a 15-year guarantee from IAG in respect of Shannon’s Heathrow slots and service levels as the 5-year guarantee …

The chairman of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee has been requested to invite Aer Lingus chairman, Colm Barrington and its CEO, Christoph Mueller to appear before the committee. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Timmy Dooley said they should appear before the committee to answer the questions that remain outstanding surrounding connectivity following the IAG presentation last week. Deputy Dooley commented, “Both Mr Barrington and Mr Mueller need to address the serious concerns that have been raised by those involved in the tourism sector who recognise the importance of our connectivity to the United States and Heathrow. The current links are also of fundamental importance for the pharmaceutical industry in the Cork region and for the engineering and financial services sector in the west of Ireland. “The significant concerns that have been raised regarding the potential downside risks of the proposed takeover bid remain outstanding. The proposal to retain the Heathrow slots as outlined by Willie Walsh earlier …

ALREADY contentious, Shannon based Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has turned up the political heat regarding the potential sale of the State’s share in Aer Lingus, as he has vowed to resign the party whip if the Government does sell to IAG. He made his comments after IAG CEO Willie Walsh addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Mr Walsh told the Committee that in the event of an IAG takeover, Shannon would get a five-year guarantee of Heathrow connectivity. However, after being quizzed by Senator Mulcahy, he acknowledged that he was not offering any guarantees around the preservation of the Aer Lingus services between Shannon and the US. While Mr Walsh did say that transatlantic services from Shannon have “huge potential” and that the numbers travelling on them are likely to increase in the summertime, this didn’t cut much ice with Senator Mulcahy. In a statement released shortly after the Committee sitting he said, “I cannot support …

This afternoon (Thursday), the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will hear from Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), on the potential sale of Aer Lingus. Chairman, John O’Mahony, said, “The committee welcomes the chance to hear directly from Willie Walsh on IAG’s bid for Aer Lingus. The possible sale of the state holding in Aer Lingus is an issue of great significance to the country. As such, we as a committee, have already held two meetings on the issue, at which we heard from numerous interest groups who would be impacted by the potential sale. “The meeting [with Mr Walsh] is a continuation of that process and the committee remains anxious to ensure that any decision taken by Government in relation to a potential takeover is based on securing the strategic interests of the country.”