Tag Archives: Shannon Group PLC

INVESTMENT in quality journalism is essential to combat the rise of so-called fake news, a conference in Limerick has been told. The use of click-bait and fake news to drive traffic to online news and social media sites, allied to a lack of media literacy amongst many members of the public, were some of the factors cited as influencing the rise of this phenomenon at the event in King John’s Castle. Organised by the Irish South-West Branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), the conference entitled Local News Matters featured a panel of speakers offering different perspectives on the theme of ‘The Truth in the News? The role of quality journalism in an era of fake news’. The panelists were Emma O’Kelly, RTE’s Education Correspondent, Cian Connaughton, President of the PRII and Fiona McGarry, Producer of Clare FM’s flagship current affairs programme, Morning Focus. The debate was chaired by Nandi O’Sullivan, …

Former chief executive of Clare County Council Tom Coughlan has been announced as the chairman designate of the board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Mr Coughlan who was council CEO from 2009 to 2016, is a board member of the Shannon Group PLC. In accordance with the Programme for a Partnership Government, Mr Coughlan is scheduled to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation prior to the confirmation of his appointment. This appearance will take place on Tuesday, April 11. The announcement was made today (Friday) by Minister of State at the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation Pat Breen. Three of the ordinary members, who were recruited to the board of the HSA via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in 2014, have been re-appointed for a second three-year term. They have been joined by a new appointee, Ms Deirdre Cullivan.  Ms Cullivan was recruited through PAS and is a science graduate with senior level …

Shannon Airport has achieved growth again in 2015, with its passenger numbers for last year showing a 5% increase on 2014. This is the third successive year of passenger number increases at the airport. 2015 passenger numbers grew to 1,714,872 – the first year since 2010 that the airport has exceeded the 1.7m figure. The 2015 year figure is up over 22% on the total passenger numbers since the airport became independent in 2013.  Excluding transit passenger numbers, the growth in terminal passengers since separation is 25%. The biggest growth area over the three year period since independence for Shannon has been on its European services, which have more than doubled (108%) since the airport was made independent in 2013. The biggest-spending inbound tourism market, the US, has, meanwhile, enjoyed a 12% increase since separation. Commenting on the results, Shannon Group plc Chairman Rose Hynes said, “After the high of 2014 when we achieved 17% growth thanks to a range …

PROFITABILITY at Shannon Airport “improved considerably” in 2014, a year in which passenger numbers also rose by 17%. That’s one of the messages from Shannon Group’s 2014 annual report, along with a commitment from Shannon Group chief executive, Neil Pakey, to correct what he called “historic underinvestment” at the airport and other facilities under the remit of Shannon Group plc. In the annual report, Mr Pakey outlined that “profitability of the airport has also improved considerably in 2014, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of €4.6 million, an increase of 34% on 2013. This increase in profit was achieved in part through passenger growth and new routes, but also by managing cost efficiencies.” Mr Pakey added that work on lowering costs will continue this year, as will capital investment at the airport. “We will continue to address the operating cost base in 2015 and identify further cost efficiencies to ensure our sustainability and enable us to compete …

EXPORTERS to the US are to benefit from the launch of Ireland’s only direct all-cargo air service to North America at Shannon.  Turkish Airlines has been granted permission to carry air cargo from Shannon to Chicago, starting immediately. In March, Turkish Airlines began making refuelling stops at Shannon for the first time. They will now operate a weekly Shannon-Chicago service on Fridays, through their cargo subsidiary Turkish Cargo, boosting options for Irish exporters of all sizes. The service will be operated with Turkish Cargo’s modern fuel-efficient Airbus A330F aircraft, which is the world’s most modern mid-size freighter and is capable of transporting cargo from high-value consumer goods to industrial equipment to thoroughbred horses. After the separation from the DAA, Shannon Group identified the development of an air freight hub as a major opportunity, as much of Irish air cargo exports now travel by truck to Britain because of a lack of suitable direct flights. Shannon Group CEO Neil Pakey said, …

Summer at Shannon has officially kicked in with the airport looking forward to a bumper season again this year. In all, the airport will this summer serve 35 destinations across 11 countries, as it continues the momentum set last year, when Shannon achieved significant growth, particularly in the summer period. Summer 2015, according to Shannon Group plc chief commercial officer, Andrew Murphy, will further highlight the growing demand for inbound and outbound services through Shannon. “We are in April and there is already a summer feel here, not just because of the sunshine but because we are seeing a major pick up in passenger numbers. “Over the course of the summer we will see a 6% increase in capacity on US services, with Delta extending its season on JFK New York and American Airlines increasing its capacity by 58% on Philadelphia services. “We look set to repeat last year’s fantastic summer season on European services as well.The great thing about …

There is good news for Shannon Airport this week with the announcement that Stobart Air is to recommence services to Birmingham from June 18. Shannon Group plc chief commercial officer, Andrew Murphy, in welcoming what he described as “a positive development”, said that the decision by Stobart to return to Shannon is further validation of the market support for services to and from the airport. “We are very pleased to welcome back Stobart Air on this route. This is testament to the demand for services between Shannon and Birmingham and we look forward to working with Stobart and ensuring passengers flying to and from Shannon on this route get the best possible airport experience. “This adds another route to our summer schedule for 2015, delivering an additional 45,000 seats into the bargain. Birmingham has a catchment of 20 million people living within 90 minutes travel time, more than any other UK airport, and this opens up considerable opportunities to grow …

The Oireachtas Transport Committee will hold a special meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss the impact of the potential sale of Aer Lingus. Appearing before the committee in Leinster House will be representatives from: The Irish Airline Pilots Association, The Central Representatives Council of union groups within Aer Lingus, Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Group PLC, Limerick Chamber of Commerce,IDA Ireland and SIPTU. Chairman, John O’Mahony, said, “Any proposed sale of the State’s stake in Aer Lingus would be of significant interest to passengers and to various interested stakeholder groups, including tourism, business and commerce groups and those working in the aviation industry in Ireland. “Tomorrow we will have a chance to discuss the implications of any possible sale of the Governmen’s stake in the airline in more detail, as well as the impact of any sale for the taxpayer. Committee members will want to address concerns about possible job losses and routes …