Killeen: Airline must explain Shannon pull-out

A JUNIOR minister has demanded Aer Lingus explain a decision to remove its Heathrow slots on the highly lucrative Shannon route.

Official confirmation is expected this morning from the airline that it is removing the flights to Heathrow from Shannon and moving them to Belfast International Airport.

Ahead of the announcement, Minister of State Tony Killeen said yesterday: “It clearly has implications for employment. I understand Aer Lingus may be saying 45 jobs, some other reports put it at 100 or more. In any event, there are people whose jobs are at risk.”