Airline in talks over Shannon to Paris route

AT least one airline has emerged as a potential replacement carrier to take over the Shannon to Paris route which Ryanair will abandon next month despite its success.

A number of airlines have already ruled out taking over the service, but Dublin-based Air Contractors Ltd is in talks with airport management.

Since its formation in 1972 as Air Bridge Carriers, Air Contractors (ACL) had operated a purely cargo-based fleet of aircraft until earlier this year when it began operating a Boeing 737-300 passenger aircraft on a franchise basis with its sister company Europe Airpost (EAP).

An ACL company spokesman confirmed that talks are at an early stage with the airport but that discussions are ongoing.

A Shannon Airport spokesman said: “Shannon Airport can confirm that we have had positive talks with carriers in relation to establishing a new Paris service. While the market is challenging, we are quite confident of success, not least given that we had two successful services to Paris in 2009, Charles de Gaulle and Beauvais, and that Ryanair had an 89% load factor as recently as August.

“We have had positive discussions with Air Contractors, who are in a position to provide aircraft to commercial passenger airlines, and they are keen to see new services established out of Shannon and we are working with them to that end,” the spokesman said.

Last month Ryanair confirmed it will cut services at Shannon by 21% from November 1 in protest at Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) plans to increase passenger charges at Shannon by €1.53. The airline will completely axe the Shannon to Paris operation despite its success and profitability. The route has been yielding an average load factor of 89% which was Ryanair’s average across its whole operation in August.

Four airlines have to date turned their backs on the profitable route, two of which previously operated the service. Aer Lingus and Cityjet have said they have no plans to reopen the route, while British Airways, Easyjet and BMI have confirmed they have no interest in taking up the operation.

However, two airlines, Aer Arann and Flybe, have not completely dismissed taking up the axed route.

Aer Arann has said: “We will continue to look at the potential to expand the services that Aer Arann operates from Shannon.”

A Flybe spokesman said: “Flybe continually monitor opportunities and we are always looking to grow our network wherever possible.”

Air Contractors has emerged as the airline which has shown the most positive response to a possible reopening of the route.

Clare and Shannon councillor Patricia McCarthy said: “This route is not a gamble for any airline and that is why it is so surprising that Ryanair plan to terminate it. With a load factor of 89% this was a successful route, there is no question about that. The Paris route is vital for connectivity for tourism and business and has been well proven in the past.”