Tourism industry representatives claim the success of the temporary Shannon-Heathrow service is “critical” in order to ensure longterm services from the Midwest.
Aer Lingus is to recommence the route’s operation for 10 weeks this month, while works on Cork Airport’s runway are ongoing.
Aer Lingus confirmed this week that it’s going ahead with the resumption of its service from Shannon Airport to London Heathrow later this month.
The service will depart Clare’s airport from 5pm daily, seven days a week… but only for a ten-week period, while works on Cork Airport’s runway are ongoing.
The former flag carrier hasn’t flown out of Shannon since the beginning of the pandemic and the Chair of the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum insists the Midwest has to ‘put its money where its mouth is’ and support the route.
A new Ryanair route to Luton is to come on stream at Shannon this winter, while services to Gatwick and Stansted remain operational.
Sean Lally of Hotel Woodstock says its vital that connectivity options are maintained between the Midwest and UK.
A North Clare Hotelier says the lack of transatlantic flights into Shannon has cost the sector dearly in terms of business.
Michael Vaughan claims he’s lost 80 bed nights in September over people having to cut travel time short to get flights from Dublin instead of the Midwest.
The Lahinch hotelier can’t see a recovery next year without the permanent resumption of air routes into Shannon, including the Heathrow slots.
The owner of a Shannon Airport-based Chaffeur service claims the Goverment has abandoned Shannon.
Pat Keogh insists the Government must make known it’s plans for getting Aer Lingus reinstated into the Midwest.
