Tag Archives: Heathrow

SHANNON Airport looks set for yet another body blow following reports that Aer Lingus are considering moving their transatlantic services to the United Kingdom. Aer Lingus have a number of aircraft based in Shannon and two of them are A321, which is a narrow bodied aircraft with long range with a smaller capacity than bigger A330. They are ideal for long haul flights from Shannon as they are cheaper to run than other aircraft and can take smaller numbers of passengers. It understood some English airports have indicated they are interested in hosting these aircraft and developing transatlantic services from these locations. A Shannon Group spokesperson said the group is in ongoing discussions with Aer Lingus regarding the resumption of its Heathrow and transatlantic operations. “These long established services have been hugely successful and their resumption is critical for business and tourism across western and southern regions. “These and other services have been suspended due to advice against non-essential travel …

Aer Lingus has given Shannon Airport a boost with 55,000 additional seats on services for summer 2016. The increases are to Heathrow (35,000 seats), Faro (10,000 seats) and Malaga (10,000 seats). This is in addition to their 20% increase in capacity announced earlier this year for both Heathrow and Lanzarote, which kicks in for the 2015 winter season and will see 25,000 extra seats on London and 1,300 seats to Lanzarote. Aer Lingus’ for summer 2016 plan spell good news for people seeking a summer sun holiday, as the airline responds to market demand by increasing services to Faro from three to four flights weekly and Malaga from two to three flights weekly. Shannon Airport CEO Neil Pakey said, “This is a really positive move for what are very popular services from Shannon. London Heathrow is our busiest service and the increased capacity on the larger A320 aircraft here is very much in response to demand. In all, Aer Lingus …

International Airline Group (IAG) will consider options, including Aer Lingus codeshare and accepting customers originating from Shannon that could enhance the existing all-business British Airways two daily service from Heathrow to JFK via Shannon, Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe said in the Dáil this morning Wednesday. In opening the debate on the proposed sale of the Government’s 25% stake in Aer Lingus, Minister Donohoe said the airline’s Shannon flights to Boston and New York are expected to be strengthened as a result of the company becoming part of the North Atlantic Joint Business. “Aer Lingus support for existing American Airlines flights to Philadelphia will provide opportunities for additional capacity and increased connectivity to the US,” he said. According to Ministe Donohoe, “The financial advisers have considered a range of different valuation methodologies which they consider to be relevant. The [Inter-depertmental]Steering Group has concluded that a price of €2.50 is acceptable. The Dáil is being asked to approve in principle the disposal …

WITH the Government this evening announcing the sale of the State’s stake in Aer Lingus, a Fine Gael source this evening told the Clare Champion that Shannon-US services will be enhanced as a result of the transaction. It is understood that British Airways (which is owned by IAG) will continue to use Shannon’s US  Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facilities, and in the future it may actually pick up passengers at Shannon, effectively extending the range of US services from Shannon, something that would be welcomed by local business interests. While IAG CEO Willie Walsh had previously ruled out increasing a five year commitment to maintaining Shannon-Heathrow connectivity, this will be increased to seven years. It is understood the assurances have calmed at least some political nerves in Clare, but the issue is still set to provoke local and national debate in the coming days. The chairman of Shannon Group plc, Rose Hynes, has  welcomed the proposed IAG takeover of …

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 …

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 …

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has voiced concerns regarding the proposed takeover of Aer Lingus by IAG. Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said, “We would have some reservations with regard to the proposed takeover of Aer Lingus by IAG. It is crucial that the existing slots between Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Heathrow Airport are protected and maintained. We realise that a long term agreement to this effect may be difficult to secure, but everything that can be done should be done now”. Mr Dawson continued, “The ITAA would see value for money and greater choice for Irish consumers as being a vital part of the negotiations and central to any agreement reached. It is our opinion that the Aer Lingus brand and all that it encompasses is worth more than the €1.35 billion currently proposed. Aer Lingus is a worldwide brand viewed by many as providing a friendly and safe service both at home and abroad. “We would …

This Tuesday morning’s Cabinet meeting could have a significant impact on the future of Shannon Airport. The Board of Aer Lingus has recommend shareholders accept a €1.3 billion takeover offer from IAG. The potential deal will be discussed by ministers at Cabinet this morning, and Transport Minister Paschal Donohue says maintaining employment and connectivity is of the utmost importance. There have been concerns in this region that any sale could damage the local economy, in the event that the new owners move London Heathrow landing slots away from Shannon. Trade unions maintain up to 1,200 jobs could be put at risk if any sale goes through, and are calling on the Government to seek guarantees this won’t occur. Also mentioned this morning, is the importance of retaining the Aer Lingus brand in any takeover scenario.