Aer Lingus is insisting it remains committed to Shannon Transatlantic services despite plans to stop its American flights for three months next year.
The airline says flights to New York and Boston will be suspended for 11 weeks from early January next year, breaking a link that stretches back to 1958.
In a statement to Clare FM the the former state airline has announced the suspension of flights from Shannon to New York and Boston for 11 weeks from January 5th to March 27th 2011 due to significant losses but the routes are due to operate for the remaining 9 months of the year.
Aer Lingus Chief Christoph Mueller has reported losses of around 11 million euro on winter transatlantic services from Shannon each year since 1995 and insists the 3 month suspension is crucial to ensure the future viability of the services.
He’s also described the Shannon Market as an important part of Aer Lingus network, but Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen is doubting that commitment and fears valuable business at Shannon will now be lost to Dublin
Reacting to the news director of Shannon Airport, Martin Moroney said they recognises that route viability is essential for any airline to sustain its presence in Shannon and while the announcement is disappointing it is not unexpected owing to the losses experienced by Aer Lingus.
He added that Shannon Airport continues to have year-round transatlantic services from Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines and that they will endeavour to work with Aer Lingus to restore full year-round services in the future and continue to work with them in developing additional short haul services from the Mid West
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