Shannon boost with new routes

Operations will start this week on the first route secured by Shannon Airport since it received its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

The airport, which has committed to rebuilding passenger numbers to 2.5m by 2018, confirmed that the Shannon to Glasgow link would be reopened by Europe’s largest regional airline, Flybe. The service begins tomorrow with a new route to Faro, Portugal, which Aer Lingus will operate. Flybe previously operated a service from Shannon to Birmingham between 1999 and 2005.

The last Shannon to Glasgow service was operated by Aer Arann, on behalf of Aer Lingus Regional. That began in Jul 2010, but was shortlived. The new flights to Glasgow will operate three times a week and are expected to generate over 10,000 additional passengers through Shannon Airport in 2013.

Flybe’s director of marketing Simon Lilley said: “We have every confidence this additional new service will prove successful in offering an attractive and affordable way for travellers to access this growing business and leisure destination that is widely regarded as the West of Ireland’s premier gateway.”

Also from tomorrow Aer Lingus will operate its only European route outside the UK from Shannon with the introduction of a summer service to Faro. The new three-times-a-week flight is expected to generate an extra 20,000 passengers for Shannon this year.

Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said: “This is excellent news for Shannon Airport and more so for the many thousands of people from the West of Ireland that travel to the Algarve every year.”