Aer Lingus asked to ‘come clean’ on Shannon plan

AER Lingus has been asked to “come clean” and end speculation over the future of its operation at Shannon Airport amid fears that it will cut as many as three short-haul routes and suspend its transatlantic operation for the winter.

The airline has confirmed that its short-haul operations are being reviewed as fears grow for three routes, all of which are less than 12 months old, with the newest service only having commenced in March.

The airline’s Shannon to Paris Charles De Gaulle and London Gatwick services are feared to be facing the chop after showing poor performances.

It is known the early morning Gatwick to Shannon service, only introduced on March 27 last, has been cancelled several times in recent weeks including last Thursday when flight EI917 didn’t operate at all.

The Paris service started just last December after Ryanair dropped its Shannon to Beauvais route.

It is also feared that Aer Lingus’s service to Glasgow, operated in partnership with Aer Arann, could also be dropped less than a year after it commenced operations.

Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara has called on the airline to end the speculation about the routes and to come clean on its intentions for Shannon.

“The Government has committed to abolishing the travel tax if airlines deliver more passenger numbers, so how can an airline expect to avail of this if they are cutting routes.

“Airlines, whether it is Aer Lingus or any other carrier, can’t expect the travel tax to be dropped if they are cutting routes. Aer Lingus needs to clarify its position immediately,” he said.

There is also speculation that the airline will cease its transatlantic operation from January for up to 14 weeks.

An airline spokesperson said: “The Aer Lingus short-haul network is under review, however we would not be in a position to comment on speculation at this point.”