Aer Lingus has announced that it is to resume its Shannon Heathrow service, operating double daily flights to and from Shannon Heathrow from March 29 next year.The decision follows the recent agreements with staff to opt for alternative cost saving measures including work practice changes and new work agreements at Shannon, Cork and Dublin, reports Businessworld.ie. These changes combined with a new deal on charges from the Shannon Airport Authority, and the recent reduction in the price of fuel, have made the resumption of the service a reality.
Commenting on the development, Dermot Mannion, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus said, "We are very pleased to be in a position to recommence the Shannon Heathrow service and I want to acknowledge the huge contribution of our staff and Shannon Airport Authority, in making this a reality."Welcoming the announcement, Pat Shanahan, Chairman, Shannon Airport Authority said, "This is a very positive development for Shannon airport, our customer base and the entire region. We are delighted that Aer Lingus has made the decision to recommence its short haul services, demonstrating its commitment to Shannon. The Shannon Heathrow link will result in increased passenger traffic through the airport and we look forward to other short haul opportunities that may arise from Shannon in the future."
The reinstatement of the Shannon Airport to London Heathrow service by Aer Lingus may not have been realised were it not for Ryanair’s bid to take over the national airline, according to the Mayor of Clare.While welcoming what she described as "the reestablishment of a strategically important service for business and tourism across the West of Ireland", Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn said she believed that Government pressure on Aer Lingus to restore the route had led to today’s announcement. “Perhaps at this point it may not be popular in some quarters to thank Michael O'Leary of Ryanair, but it is my considered opinion that had he not proposed to restore the Heathrow to Shannon connection in his takeover bid for Aer Lingus that we may not have had this announcement,” stated the Mayor.
She continued, “It was known in aviation circles that Ryanair was planning on making the Shannon to Heathrow proposal long before it became public. O'Leary's proposal served to focus Aer Lingus and the Government into reality and hence its welcome announcement.” The Mayor noted that Aer Lingus would now have a challenge to regain and restore the confidence of its previous customer base.
She explained, “It must be recognised that a lot of damage has been done to the tourism and business community in Clare and the wider region since the withdrawal of the Shannon to Heathrow service earlier this year. Shannon's rightful slots into Heathrow were wrongfully withdrawn in a cavalier and reckless fashion without any consideration of the fallout for the region.” “As Mayor of Clare I wish Aer Lingus success with its partially restored service next April. However, I am requesting the airline and the Minister for Transport to restore all three flights in the immediate future,” commented Mayor Taylor Quinn.
“I particularly wish to compliment the management of Shannon Airport for their determination in pursuing this issue with Aer Lingus and arriving at an attractive arrangement for the airline. Equally the Aer Lingus staff at Shannon must be lauded for their co-operation on rationalisation, which undoubtedly was a factor in the airline reaching a decision,” concluded the Mayor.
Meanwhile, Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen today welcomed the restoration of the Shannon to Heathrow Service by Aer Lingus. Minister Killeen said that the airline’s decision to reinstate the service was commercially based, just as the original decision to end the service had been.“Aer Lingus’ move to reinstate flights between Shannon and Heathrow bears out exactly what I said in August 2007 when the airline announced it was withdrawing the service; it was a commercial decision by the airline to remove the service. The commercial reality in the meantime has changed dramatically, however,” stated the Minister. He continued, “As a result of the downturn in the aviation sector, it did not make commercial sense for Aer Lingus to continue leasing two of its Heathrow slots. The dramatic reduction in the cost base at Shannon Airport has also played a significant role in the return of the Heathrow service.”
Meanwhile, Minister Killeen acknowledged the importance that the Government attached to the resumption of a Shannon Heathrow service. He explained that such support from the Government was of paramount importance, on foot of its responsibility for balanced regional development. Minister Killeen said today’s announcement would help Shannon Airport to expand its operations in the coming months.
He added, “Coupled with the advent of Open Skies, Shannon Airport has successfully weathered the huge economic downturn and its significant impact on the aviation sector. The airport is well placed to prosper and expand when the economy eventually and inevitably rebounds.” “I also would like to compliment the Shannon Airport Authority, staff at Shannon Airport and the people of the West of Ireland for their steadfast commitment to seeking the reinstatement of this vital service. I wish Aer Lingus every success with the new service, which commences in March,” said Minister Killeen.
Meanwhile, reacting to the news that the Government is postponing the separation of Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports until 2011, the Minister said, “It is in Shannon Airport’s interest to have the maximum level of independence and flexibility. The board which has been in place since the enactment of the relevant legislation has enjoyed some notable successes and I am confident it would achieve even more once full autonomy is granted.” “The Ministers for Transport and Finance have examined the business plans for each airport and they are not satisfied that Cork and Shannon have sufficiently strong income bases to operate independently at this time. However, I believe that in the longer term independence from the DAA is the most desirable outcome for Shannon Airport,” he concluded.
