Tag Archives: Shannon airport

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 …

COMMERCIAL movements at Shannon Airport last month were down by more than two thirds on July of last year, but the decline was actually smaller than that seen in April, May or June. During the month Shannon saw 850 commercial movements, compared to 1,976 in July of 2019. This is a decline of 67.2% year on year, but in April, May and June the year on year declines were far worse, at 81.9%, 87% and 83.5%. July had seen Ryanair restart some services from Shannon, albeit with relatively little demand due to quarantining restrictions and government advice against travel. The picture was quite similar at Dublin and Cork, which both saw steep year on year declines, but the drop-off in July at both airports was less than in April, May and June. In a statement the Irish Aviation Authority said that there were some positive developments last month. “The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has confirmed that July was another poor …

REVENUE officers have seized over 4kgs of suspected herbal cannabis from three different parcels at Shannon Airport today (Friday, August 7) The illegal drugs have an estimated value of over €80,000 and were discovered in three separate parcels. Two of the parcels, which originated from the Netherlands, contained 1kg of herbal cannabis each concealed within pillows. The third parcel, which originated from Italy and was declared as ‘garden products’, contained 2kgs of the illegal drug. All three parcels were destined for addresses in Limerick City and County. Investigations are ongoing. These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing routine operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.    

IT would be something of an understatement to say that a lot has happened in the months since Monday, February 10. It snowed in North Clare on the day that Cathal Crowe was unveiled as a new TD, after a General Election count fraught with drama. And while many thought hell would freeze over before Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would coalesce, and join with the Greens in a history-making new administration, that is what has transpired, against the backdrop of a global pandemic. Ten days later Deputy Crowe took his seat in the Dáil, and received the keys to his new office on the third floor of the Leinster House 2000 building. Since then, he has been putting in gruelling 14-16 hour days and, after the protracted process of government formation, he believes he has found his stride as a national representative. “As a first-time TD, you’re on a very steep learning curve,” he said. “It’s like Fresher’s Week …

The new Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, is “considering” a wide range of financial supports for Shannon Airport. Deputy Joe Carey, who is also the chair of the all-party Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, raised the ongoing challenges facing the airport with Minister Ryan in the Dáil. The Clare TD also called for Shannon Heritage sites, including Bunratty Castle, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen, Dunguaire Castle and King John’s Castle to be provided with support to allow them to remain open for the whole year. Deputy Carey said: “These attractions bring people to Clare and the Mid-West. It is crazy and ridiculous that the Shannon Group would close these sites, especially when we are pushing the whole idea of staycations. “There is a major opportunity here: We simply need to embrace and support it. I appealed to the Minister to do precisely that.” Deputy Carey told Minister Ryan in the Dáil: “We need state aid now, and we need the Minister to roll …

IT is understood that some negotiations between unions and Shannon Group management have taken place this week, as a range of cutbacks have been sought due to the fall out from Covid-19. On Wednesday a representative of one of the unions said that there had been some discussion with management earlier in the week, with a communication issued to their members subsequently. A very wide range of cuts were outlined in a letter sent by Shannon Group chief executive Mary Considine to employees last week. These included the introduction of a voluntary severance scheme, pay cuts of up to 20%, short time working, temporary lay offs and a review of management structures and of the Group’s internal operational structures. Unions at the airport quickly criticised a lack of consultation with them, while they claimed the terms of redundancy being offered were unacceptable and poorer than those being offered to workers at both Dublin and Cork airports. At Monday’s meeting of …

SHANNON Airport made a profit of €2.7 million in 2019, newly filed accounts show. Turnover for 2019 was €46 million, down from €48.1 million in 2018. According to the accounts, Shannon Airport Authority spent €14.1 million on wages and salaries for its 243 workers in 2019. The average per employee was just over €58,000, but there are now proposals for swingeing pay cuts among the staff, due to the Covid-19 slowdown. The directors’ report warned that a very difficult period lies ahead. “Industry analysts cite that once the situation resolves that passenger numbers will follow the same trajectory as in the wake of previous disruptions, such as 9/11 or the global financial crisis-after months of disarray, travel patterns reverted to normal and growth resumed. A caveat here is that no analyst can predict the timing of the current crisis. If this were to resolve in the short term and the impact of Covid-19 abates within months, it will be important …

THE managing director of Shannon Airport Andrew Murphy is leaving his position. Last Friday, Shannon Group released a statement stating that he had informed the company that he would be taking up another position, also in the aviation sector. Mr Murphy joined Shannon Group in March 2014 as chief commercial officer and took up the role of managing director of Shannon Airport in February 2017. Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon Group said, “Andrew has played an instrumental role at Shannon Group since the early days of its establishment and we are very appreciative of his dedication and hard work throughout his career with us. I would like to wish him every success and happiness in his new career.” Mr Murphy’s departure comes shortly after the resignation of Niall O’Callaghan, who was managing director of Shannon Heritage. Deputy Michael McNamara said there is “increasingly an appearance of dysfunction” at Shannon. The two departures are significant, he feels. “One of them is essentially …