Shannon welcomes new Gatwick route from Aer Lingus

SHANNON Airport director Mary Considine yesterday welcomed Aer Lingus’s decision to establish a daily route to London Gatwick from March 27 as a vote of confidence in the airport for 2011.

The service will originate in Gatwick with a 6.50am departure and an 8.15am arrival time at Shannon. The return-leg from Shannon will depart at 9am, arriving in Gatwick at 10.25am. Bookings can be made from today on the Aer Lingus website www.aerlingus.com.

The newly appointed director of Shannon, Ms Considine said: “The new Gatwick service is an excellent start to the new year for Shannon and is something we have been working with Aer Lingus on during recent months. For Aer Lingus to add Gatwick, not least with its early arrival time at Shannon, to its growing network of services is a real boost for us and, indeed, the greater west of Ireland region.”

Ms Considine said the airport finished 2010 very much on the upward curve, with the commencement of an Aer Lingus Paris Charles de Gaulle service on December 17. There was also a 60% increase in Aer Lingus Regional’s Manchester services at the end of October.

“In addition, we were delighted to see Ryanair last month announce the establishment of a new Fuerteventura service from February as well as reinstating Nantes, Malaga and Palma-Mallorca services,” she said.