Ennis May 30th

Aer Arann return to Shannon welcome but public must support routes – Carey

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today welcomed the anticipated
announcement from Aer Arann that it is to announce new routes from Shannon
this week.

The expectation is that Aer Arann will take up four of the routes recently
axed by Ryanair, with speculation that Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and
Glasgow are to be reinstated. This latest news follows a series of positive
announcements related to the airport.

Deputy Carey said:

“I wish to welcome the anticipated news from Aer Arann that it will be
taking up new routes from Shannon Airport. This is a hugely positive
development and evidence that Shannon is a desirable gateway from the Mid
West to the UK, Europe and elsewhere.

Shannon has many advantages over other airports – it is within easy access
to the whole of the western seaboard as well as cities such as Galway,
Limerick and Cork. The airport itself is very consumer friendly.

I would encourage the people of the Mid-West to get behind Aer Arann and
their new routes. Tourist agencies too must get on board and help get word
out that these routes are back up and running. I wish the airline every
success and hope they continue to develop and expand their business at
Shannon Airport.

This anticipated news comes against several positive developments from the
airport in recent months. Continental has increased the number of flights
on its year round Shannon/Newark service while Delta also announced that it
is to extend its Shannon/ JFK service to year round.

All these announcements show up Aer Lingus’s failure to commit their full
support for Shannon as they still haven’t announced their intention to have
a winter U.S. schedule.

In order for the Mid West Region to realise its full potential I believe
major efforts need to be made in terms of marketing Shannon as the gateway
to the West Coast of Ireland. Such a  marketing drive would need to be
properly targeted and funded ensuring all the advantages of the Mid-West
and the whole western seaboard are put in the global shop window with
Shannon Airport providing the best and easiest access to them.”