US flights bypass Shannon over attacks

US military flights carrying thousands of troops were pulled from Shannon in the past week due to safety concerns following the attacks at the airport.

The Government confirmed last night one of the largest commercial airlines taking US troops to the Gulf has ceased using the airport as a stopover. World Airways pulled out at least 17 charter flights, refuelling at Frankfurt airport instead.

Aer Rianta is understood to be unaware of the airline’s future intentions, despite Government assurances that there would be no repeat of the recent embarrassing attacks on military aircraft.