CityJet to begin daily Shannon to Paris route

A FAINT flicker of connectivity yesterday returned to Shannon Airport to ignite new hopes for business groups in the mid-west.

After months of negotiations, Swords-based CityJet announced it will provide two flights a day to Europe’s second-largest commuter hub — Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The service will begin on February 4 and allow Shannon travellers access to the international routes lost when Aer Lingus moved its Heathrow slots to Belfast.

CityJet chief executive Geoffrey O’Byrne-White said the Air France-owned company leased planes for its spring schedule as it did not have aircraft available.

A CityJet spokesman said it will begin with two flights a day.

The service’s success will hinge on whether Shannon weekday departures — at 9.35am and 7pm — and return journeys from Paris — at 7.40am and 5.05pm — will suit business needs.

CityJet said its market research and the structure of Paris’s international slots will over-ride any concerns about the late-morning departure.

The news was greeted with relief by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, whose early weeks in the portfolio were marred by his inaction on the Shannon/Heathrow service withdrawal. At yesterday’s launch he admitted he had met with CityJet and personally encouraged them to look at Shannon favourably.

The new routes have been welcomed by the lobby group the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance. Its spokesman Tony Brazil said while it was positive it did not resolve the connections lost when Aer Lingus pulled its Heathrow service.

Otherwise, the alliance said the new flights were a “hugely important milestone”.

“This is a good news story for all industry and tourism business leaders along the west coast who joined with us last August in our campaign to fight for crucial connectivity for Shannon Airport,” said chairman of Shannon Development John Brassil.

Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy also called on the business interests who had so much enthusiasm when fighting for Shannon’s future to back the CityJet service and ensure its success.

CityJet said its market analysis suggested the Shannon-London route was well served by Ryanair but the gap was in getting people to an international hub.

It said in the New Year it would look at the potential of launching a service to London City Airport however, at the moment, its priority was making the Paris route a success.

Last night Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was a good result after a difficult time.

“I would prefer to go to Charles de Gaulle than Heathrow,” he said.