This article is from page 13 of the 2006-08-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
LAST week’s decision by American Airlines to discontinue their Boston to Shannon service has been hailed as the first step in relegating Shannon to a regional airport according to Clare TD Pat Breen (FG).
Deputy Breen called on the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, to put in place a package of measures to assist the airport saying that the region needs more than photo opportunities from the Minister.
“All airlines now operating transatlantic services to Ireland are gearing themselves up for Open Skies and are realigning their services with this in mind,” said Deputy Breen.
“Of course, as I have continuously warned, in every country where there is an Open Skies agreement, airlines choose to fly into the capital city. In Ireland’s case they will operate into Dublin only and Shannon will simply become a regional airport.”
A spokesperson from American Airlines said last week that the airline will phase out its daily flights from Logan International Airport to Shannon on October 28. The spokesperson described the move as “essentially an economic decision” aimed at operating fuller and more profitable flights.
The airline will continue to service Shannon by re-routing their Chicago Service, which currently operates through Dublin, and replacing their existing B757 with a B767 on this route. The pullout is the second negative story for the airport in recent times and has sparked fear in some quarters that it will trigger a chain reaction of withdrawals.
“The ending of this service is another major blow to the hard pressed tourism sector in the Mid-West Region and to the small businesses in the area who were providing auxiliary services. Coming hot on the heels of the decision by World Airways to transfer its business to Germany, it will also raise further fears about the future of the In-flight Catering Section at the airport,” continued Mr Breen.
“The current uncertainty in relation to the future of transatlantic services is having a negative impact, which could lead to a lack of confidence in tourism development in the Mid-West, if remedial urgent action is not taken.”
This news comes just days after doubt has been cast over the continued use of Shannon Airport by American companies contracted by the US Government to transport troops. Prestwick Airport has emerged as the front runner to draw some of the lucrative business away from Shannon.