Shannon Airport has been dealt a blow with news that US airline United will suspend operations on its New York route for the winter months.
The carrier currently operates a daily service from the mid-west airport to Newark in New Jersey, a short distance from New York but this will be put on hold from November due to a drop in demand.
United Airlines had operated the only year-round service from Shannon to New York until earlier this month, when Irish based low-cost carrier Norwegian Air International entered the market.
Norwegian Air International will now be the only airline to serve New York during the period of January to March next year after United decided to suspend it’s operations from from November 26th to March 10th
A spokesman for United says they will “contact customers with bookings for flights during the service suspension to either offer them alternative travel plans or provide refunds”.
While management at Shannon have expressed disappointment at the news, the airport still operated the highest number of transatlantic services in 17 years in 2017.
A spokesperson for the MidWest Airport says they remain committed to working with the airline and their other airline partners to continue to provide services and access to key markets.
They went on to say that maximising the potential for Shannon will continue to be a priority.
Statement from Shannon Airport:
“We are disappointed by United’s decision to reduce its Shannon/ New York service for the winter period. United have operated services at Shannon since 1999 and are a core and valued customer. We remain very committed to working with them and our other airline partners to continue to provide services and access to key markets. Maximising the potential for Shannon will continue to be a priority. This year Shannon has its largest number of transatlantic destinations for 17 years as five airlines operate to seven destinations. We are confident that the airport will improve on its 2016 performance which saw the airport enjoy its fourth successive year of growth.”
