Tag Archives: Shannon airport

The most spectacular air show ever staged in the Mid-West is set for lift-off with the line-up for the Shannon Air Display and associated field activities finalised ahead of the upcoming extravaganza. An estimated 40,000 people are expected to throng the Shannon airfield, which will be transformed into the viewing area for the stunning overhead displays, as 20 domestic and international acts, operating 33 separate aircraft, go through their lightning-fast paces. The action will be far from confined to the skies, with final arrangements also now being put in place for a vast array of on-the- ground activities. Over 20 separate children’s attractions – ranging from a carousel to a bungee run, obstacle courses and giant jenga – some 25 food operators, as well as music entertainment, ensure there will be plenty to enjoy during breaks in the air display. A static aircraft and tank display in the spectator zone is also set to be a major attraction. The main event happens in the …

The line-up for the spectacular Shannon Air Display on Saturday week has been finalised. An estimated 40,000 people are expected to throng the Shannon Airport’s airfield, which will be transformed into the viewing area for the stunning overhead displays, as 20 domestic and international acts, operating 33 separate aircraft, go through their lightning fast paces. The action will be far from confined to the skies above Shannon, with a vast array of on-the-ground activities – over 20 separate children’s attractions and 25 food operators, as well as music entertainment. A static aircraft and tank display in the spectator zone is also set to be a major attraction. The main event happens in the skies, however, and crowds will be served up a stunning display, with some of Europe’s leading performers on hand to deliver the captivating performances during the five hour event. Among the most recently confirmed performers is Dave Bruton, who is rated by his peers as among the …

AN Aeromexico Boeing Dreamliner, flying from Mexico to Paris reportedly declared an emergency due to a fire in the cargo hold, before making an emergency landing at Shannon this afternoon. Emergency crews were awaiting the arrival of the aircraft when it touched down. Shannon is a designated airport for emergency landings and remains open 24 hours a day in case the facilities are needed at any point. “Shannon Airport can confirm that the emergency response that was activated for the arrival of a diverted Aeromexico flight this afternoon has now been stood down. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was en route from Mexico City to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, landed safely at Shannon at 14:50pm. All 193 passengers and crew were disembarked and the aircraft subsequently assessed at a remote location,” an airport spokesman said.

DESPITE Shannon Airport’s much vaunted recovery, Shannon Group is about to seek redundancies from staff, with talks between management and unions set to begin next week. Shannon Group is a commercial semi state, with Shannon Airport as its core and also encompassing Shannon Commercial Enterprises (formerly Shannon Development)Shannon Castle Banquets and Heritage Limited (formerly Shannon Heritage) along with the International Aviation Services Centre. In a statement to the Clare Champion on Wednesday evening Shannon Group claimed that the redundancies are required to help its competitive position. “The necessity to address the cost base of the Shannon Group business units has been known for some time. In recent times it has been referenced in the Shannon task force report and subsequent annual reports. We are exploring options to address this including a voluntary severance scheme. This will make for a more sustainable business model going forward.” No details of what terms will be offered to staff looking to depart have been …

Shannon Airport’s upward swing continues, with five percent growth achieved in passenger numbers last month compared to May 2014. The biggest growth market was the US, the highest spending market for inbound tourism, with an 18% increase across the airport’s US network, which has services to Boston, Chicago, JFK New York, Newark and Philadelphia – in May. Shannon Group CEO Neil Pakey said, “We are having a really good start to the summer season again. The airport is busy, there’s a great buzz here, we are seeing more inbound tourists and the Irish economy is continuing to rebound so outbound passengers are also on the rise. All this is reflected in growth last month. “From an inbound perspective the US is a hugely important market and the 18% growth in May will be well received in tourism related businesses across the region. We are also up by 15% in terms of European passengers and 3% on London, the single biggest …

Shannon Airport has announced it will deliver an air display extravaganza on Saturday, July 18 to mark the 70th anniversary of the first commercial transatlantic flight at the airport. An estimated 40,000 people are expected at the airport for the airshow, which will provide a visual treat from some of Ireland and Europe’s leading aerobatics performers, parachutists, helicopters, jet fighters and stunt fliers during the six hour event. In addition to the sky manoeuvres on the day, there will be plenty of on-the-ground action, including a static aircraft and tank display, entertainment zone, live music and a catering zone with an array of dining choices.  

Shannon Group chairperson, Rose Hynes has launched a stinging broadside at critics who are bemoaning Shannon Airport’s dramatic growth. In what could be perceived as a swipe at Fianna Fáil leader, Michéal Martin, Ms Hynes said she focuses on earning market share every day in Shannon, instead of “moaning, whining and blaming everybody else”. Deputy Martin recently claimed in the Dáil that deals being offered by Shannon Airport to grow traffic with airlines such as Ryanair, “do not add any value to the country”. A special award for service to tourism was presented to Ms Hynes at the third annual Irish Hotels’ Federation Mid-West Fundraising Gala Ball in the Greenhills Hotel, Limerick recently. Shannon branch chairperson of the Irish Hotels’ Federation, Elaina Fitzgerald-Kane, said Ms Hynes is responsible for a “monumental turnaround” in the airport’s fortunes, which is revitalising tourism across the region. In 2013, the first full year of operation since becoming an independent entity, the airport succeeded in …

  Clare Deputy Michael McNamara hopes to run for the Labour Party in the next General Election, despite his expulsion from the parliamentary party. The East Clare TD was the only Coalition deputy to vote against the proposed sale of the State’s 25.1 per cent stake in Aer Lingus to International Airlines Group (IAG) on Thursday. The barrister and part-time farmer remains a member of the Labour Party and says he will still support Labour Party policies during future Dáil votes. He still wants to run as a Labour candidate in Clare at the next General Election, if he is selected at the party’s selection convention. However, if he  doesn’t secure a place on the Labour Party ticket, he wouldn’t rule out running as an independent candidate. The Aer Lingus motion passed by 74 votes to 51 with Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and most other opposition deputies opposing the sale. McNamara was the only government deputy to vote down the …