The CEO of Shannon Group says she’s ‘hopeful’ that Aer Lingus’ Heathrow routes will resume operations by the end of the year.
Mary Considine’s comments come ahead of the resumption of non-essential international travel with the Covid Digital Certificate on Monday.
When the EU’s Digital Covid Cert comes into operation on Monday, Ryanair’s operational services at Shannon Airport will double from eight to sixteen.
The likes of Faro, Lanzarote and Malaga will all be back on Shannon’s departures board, as will a new route to the Greek island of Corfu.
What’s less clear though, is when Aer Lingus flights will be back at Shannon. No flight from the airline has left or landed in the Midwest since March 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the airline’s much publicised decision to permanently close its cabin crew base at Shannon, there have been public commitments to retain its Heathrow connection, at least until the end of the September 2022 service agreement, along with transatlantic routes.
Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine is hopeful both the Heathrow and transatlantic Aer Lingus routes will be operating once again by the Spring of 2022.
It comes at a time when Shannon Group is still awaiting an appointment to the vacant position of Chairperson of its Board.
The position has been without an incumbent since the end of Rose Hynes’ tenure 11 months ago, and there had been suggestions a Chair would be named before the Dail’s summer recess, which has already passed.
Mary Considine believes, however, that progress will be made on an appointment in the coming weeks.
