Move to bring ‘extra 1m passengers’

AER LINGUS chief executive Dermot Mannion told angry workers yesterday that the decision to move aircraft and the London Heathrow (LHR) slots to Belfast was based on projections the move would deliver an extra one million passengers a year.

About 45 jobs are at risk at Shannon as the carrier establishes its new base at Belfast International Airport. The move is a massive blow for the regional airport, which has carried more than 350,000 passengers a year on the four-times-a-day service.

“We are conscious of the impact this decision will have on staff in Shannon and the loyalty shown by our customers in the west over the years,” said Mr Mannion.

“However, as difficult a decision as it was, the strength of the business case dictated that we were left with no choice. This move will create a surplus in ground staff and we are fully committed to consultation on ways of addressing this surplus. These consultations will begin immediately.”

From December 10, Aer Lingus will have three aircraft based in Belfast. It plans to fly to eight destinations by March next year.

Its flight service between Shannon and Heathrow will cease on January 13, 2008.

Mr Mannion said the move was driven by the urgent requirement to grow Aer Lingus business in new markets.

“The new base in Belfast is expected to deliver an extra one million passengers per annum and importantly, it gives us access to additional growth opportunities,” he told angry staff.

“LHR slots represent a key asset for Aer Lingus and we as a company have an obligation to all stakeholders to ensure that we maximise the utilisation of and return from such slots.

“The returns from Shannon have been disappointing and we therefore had to consider whether we could get a better return from deploying them elsewhere. Belfast will deliver a higher return from these slots than our existing operation.”

The flight times to Heathrow and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will be fixed for connections with a range of long-haul departures by Airways (BA) and KLM.

The Heathrow service will be operated in conjunction with codeshare partners BA, enabling passengers to book baggage through to its final destination.

BA pulled out of the route during the downturn in air travel that followed 9/11. This new service will be in direct competition with the BMI service to Heathrow from Belfast City Airport.

It will also be in competition with EasyJet services to Gatwick, Stansted and Luton.

Once Aer Lingus’ full range of European routes are on offer, it is expected to create reduced fares for passengers as some destinations are already offered by EasyJet and Jet2.

MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the decision to locate at Belfast International would be a boost for both the economy and tourism.

“I think they are looking to the future. They recognise that Northern Ireland is going to be one of the major growth areas.”

It is anticipated Aer Lingus will launch transatlantic flights from Belfast — either direct or via Shannon.