SHANNON
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Because of what outsiders looking in might think 
I know a Belgian guy who was in Ireland in August when the whole Shannon furore kicked off. He couldn't believe the attention the issue got. Every radio show, pages and pages or newspaper, TV programs and debates. His attitude now is one of disbelief that they're still going on about it! Couldn't they focus their energies into a worthier cause?
And I see on RTE now that it was 4000 not 10000. CRINGE! http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1020/shannon.html
Shannoners:
I know a Belgian guy who was in Ireland in August when the whole Shannon furore kicked off. He couldn't believe the attention the issue got. Every radio show, pages and pages or newspaper, TV programs and debates. His attitude now is one of disbelief that they're still going on about it! Couldn't they focus their energies into a worthier cause?
And I see on RTE now that it was 4000 not 10000. CRINGE! http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1020/shannon.html
Shannoners:
- 4000 marched, but how many of those actually have ever used the route.
- 4000 marched, but how many of those have used Ryanair to get to London.
- It's a bloody airline route, if it's so precious another airline would take it up.
- Also the slogon "Save our slots" was quite embarrassing.
- 4000 is less than 0.1% of the Irish population.
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Shannon Heathrow Lobby continues
This is similar to when the Inverness and Channel Island routes to Heathrow were withdrawn some years ago, the locals of those airports feared the worst. However, the JER and INV routes were reinstated recently by BMI.
I can understand the why the locals fear losing the LHR route, but newspaper reports have suggested that 80% of the traffic that used EI SNN LHR were point to point, and of the 20% remaining, a significant amount transiting at LHR were USA bound. If this is so, there is no reason why these passengers can not go direct, or connect in any of the US gateways that the airlines are offering in the US. In addition, the increased demand will underpin a stronger operation on the north Atlantic from Shannon for Aer Lingus and at this point I believe the Shannon Airport authority should put effort into ensuring that EI stay put in this respect.
In addition, assuming that the percentages suggested above are correct, 20% transit traffic would equate to c 188 passenger using SNN LHR daily, I believe that the best fit for the airport is to aim for a daily Amsterdam rotation. Aer Lingus are adding 2 daily flights on BFS AMS and competition will be stiff from EZY for the point to point traffic, EI may soon find that 1 daily rotation is enough? This may allow for a SNN AMS rotation. Just a thought.
So if 188 average is the daily transit passengers using SNN LHR and say 50% (for eg.) are using LHR as a transit point for USA flights? that would mean the figure for transit passengers on NON USA flights would be closer to 90-100 a day. So best fix for the airport is to get a full service carrier on a major route, eg MAN,LGW,CDG, AMS, BRU ,FRA. Surely LH could try there hand with a FRA daily route with a Regional Jet??
I can understand the why the locals fear losing the LHR route, but newspaper reports have suggested that 80% of the traffic that used EI SNN LHR were point to point, and of the 20% remaining, a significant amount transiting at LHR were USA bound. If this is so, there is no reason why these passengers can not go direct, or connect in any of the US gateways that the airlines are offering in the US. In addition, the increased demand will underpin a stronger operation on the north Atlantic from Shannon for Aer Lingus and at this point I believe the Shannon Airport authority should put effort into ensuring that EI stay put in this respect.
In addition, assuming that the percentages suggested above are correct, 20% transit traffic would equate to c 188 passenger using SNN LHR daily, I believe that the best fit for the airport is to aim for a daily Amsterdam rotation. Aer Lingus are adding 2 daily flights on BFS AMS and competition will be stiff from EZY for the point to point traffic, EI may soon find that 1 daily rotation is enough? This may allow for a SNN AMS rotation. Just a thought.
So if 188 average is the daily transit passengers using SNN LHR and say 50% (for eg.) are using LHR as a transit point for USA flights? that would mean the figure for transit passengers on NON USA flights would be closer to 90-100 a day. So best fix for the airport is to get a full service carrier on a major route, eg MAN,LGW,CDG, AMS, BRU ,FRA. Surely LH could try there hand with a FRA daily route with a Regional Jet??
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Give me a break with your embarrasment.
People in the area are entitled to vent their anger at this situation and the way it was handled regardless of your embarrassment (which probably says more about you than the people who protested.). And I would say not one person there cared whether someone in Dublin/Cork is embarrassed by the rally. Frankly the most embarrasing thing is the way this has been handled by all involved and it says more about this country than rally organised by concerned people who live in the area. Personally I'm delighted to see that people still feel strongly enough about something to take to the streets. Is it not ok in the new Ireland to do this? Not cool no ? Embarrased are you...ah well..tough!
Fact is people in the Mid West were shafted over this and it is their democratic right to feel anger. Whether it is the truth or not, nobody in the region believes that this was a commercial decision, a matter compounded by the fact that there is still less than 1000 seats sold on the Belfast to Heathrow route(even with their massive advertising in recent weeks). Most people in the region believe Shannon was sold out as a gesture to the North, politically they couldnt take Cork or Dublins slots to do it so took Shannon's. With the way this has been handled, announced and dealt with by both the government and Mannion it has done little to dispell that belief and people are entitled to believe it. You didnt see Michael O'Leary in Stormont announcing his new routes did you, no but Mannion was there a couple of hours after dropping a bomb in Shannon ? How many airline announcements have you seen in Leinster House or the House of Commons or any other political arena..not many... The revelations that the government knew about this for 6 weeks before any other shareholder only adds to the farce that this is.
It is just another instance of the Irish governments continued politics over policies method of running governement and people are entitled to vent their anger. So most people would tell you take your embarrasment and shove it!
People in the area are entitled to vent their anger at this situation and the way it was handled regardless of your embarrassment (which probably says more about you than the people who protested.). And I would say not one person there cared whether someone in Dublin/Cork is embarrassed by the rally. Frankly the most embarrasing thing is the way this has been handled by all involved and it says more about this country than rally organised by concerned people who live in the area. Personally I'm delighted to see that people still feel strongly enough about something to take to the streets. Is it not ok in the new Ireland to do this? Not cool no ? Embarrased are you...ah well..tough!
Fact is people in the Mid West were shafted over this and it is their democratic right to feel anger. Whether it is the truth or not, nobody in the region believes that this was a commercial decision, a matter compounded by the fact that there is still less than 1000 seats sold on the Belfast to Heathrow route(even with their massive advertising in recent weeks). Most people in the region believe Shannon was sold out as a gesture to the North, politically they couldnt take Cork or Dublins slots to do it so took Shannon's. With the way this has been handled, announced and dealt with by both the government and Mannion it has done little to dispell that belief and people are entitled to believe it. You didnt see Michael O'Leary in Stormont announcing his new routes did you, no but Mannion was there a couple of hours after dropping a bomb in Shannon ? How many airline announcements have you seen in Leinster House or the House of Commons or any other political arena..not many... The revelations that the government knew about this for 6 weeks before any other shareholder only adds to the farce that this is.
It is just another instance of the Irish governments continued politics over policies method of running governement and people are entitled to vent their anger. So most people would tell you take your embarrasment and shove it!
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I for one coudnt give a monkeys what anyone outside Ireland thinks about this. That kind of Ireland is well and truly gone and good riddance. So, Charlie you can stick to plane spotting and I wont feel a bit emabarrased for you. If nobody showed up for the march you'd probably be the first to highlight the fact that nobody really cared.
So who should the government pay attention to. You and your buddy in belgium or the 4000 plus marchers. Grow up!
So who should the government pay attention to. You and your buddy in belgium or the 4000 plus marchers. Grow up!
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What I dont understand is why the west feels like the rest of the country owes your hearts desires, the slots are not "our slots". They have been used in the past to serve SNN, but that does not mean that it must always be so.
Aer Lingus made a commercial decision. FACT
bmi and BA, for whatever reason, did not find LHR-SNN viable. FACT, thus solidifying the Aer Lingus position that the slots used for SNN-LHR services could be better used elsewhere.
SNN got into bed with FR, depressing yields and making life hard for EI on LHR-SNN. SNN has plenty of routes to Europe and the UK, offering connection possibilities. This country owes you nothing, you have a newly expanded airport and the longest runways in the coutry which the SAA will not have to pay for, unlike the other airports who have to pay their own way, NOC manages to do this quite well, as does GWY, yet poor old SNN needs to be bailed out on an annual basis.
If SNN has squandered the assets it has, it is no-ones fault but its own. Grow up and take responsibiity for your actions. If you EVER flew FR on any route, instead of an LHR connection you drove a nail into the coffin.
Brian.
Aer Lingus made a commercial decision. FACT
bmi and BA, for whatever reason, did not find LHR-SNN viable. FACT, thus solidifying the Aer Lingus position that the slots used for SNN-LHR services could be better used elsewhere.
SNN got into bed with FR, depressing yields and making life hard for EI on LHR-SNN. SNN has plenty of routes to Europe and the UK, offering connection possibilities. This country owes you nothing, you have a newly expanded airport and the longest runways in the coutry which the SAA will not have to pay for, unlike the other airports who have to pay their own way, NOC manages to do this quite well, as does GWY, yet poor old SNN needs to be bailed out on an annual basis.
If SNN has squandered the assets it has, it is no-ones fault but its own. Grow up and take responsibiity for your actions. If you EVER flew FR on any route, instead of an LHR connection you drove a nail into the coffin.
Brian.
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fullrich and vkid I agree.
Indeed I disagree with the entire "Save our slots" carry on- any slots do not belong to anybody but the airline regardless.
It was NOT a case of bmi and BA not finding the route viable. BA, for a start were just not interested. bmi would have found the route viable and in fact they stated so. what prevented them was indeed ryanair's presence, and the fact that some "intent of use" application for Heathrow slots deadline had passed.
Ryanair have not depressed yields. Dont go on the usual spiel of "blah blah Shannon is ryanair's worst performing base etc". Thats
.
If it was not performing they would have pulled LONG ago. Believe it or not, people in fact use Shannon!
Indeed I disagree with the entire "Save our slots" carry on- any slots do not belong to anybody but the airline regardless.
It was NOT a case of bmi and BA not finding the route viable. BA, for a start were just not interested. bmi would have found the route viable and in fact they stated so. what prevented them was indeed ryanair's presence, and the fact that some "intent of use" application for Heathrow slots deadline had passed.
Ryanair have not depressed yields. Dont go on the usual spiel of "blah blah Shannon is ryanair's worst performing base etc". Thats
.If it was not performing they would have pulled LONG ago. Believe it or not, people in fact use Shannon!
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Well quarterly reports tend to carry a footnote about the performance of SNN.
How can you say that bmi were "worried" about the FR presence and then in the next breath say "FR have not depressed yields" ? Maybe it was the warm fuzzy, Irish welcome the people of the ACA were giving bmi that made them realise the fight with FR was more hasstle than it was worth, and flying ERJs to Nottingham from LHR was a better option.
FR have provided options and direct routings, so demand for connecting flights drops. The catchment area of any airport is finate, there are only so many bums to chase.
Like I said, SNN has made its bed with FR, now its time to lie in it. Tough.
Would I be pissed if EI pulled ORK-LHR, naturally. But there are other options. AMS and CDG being two, SNN being another for TA fligths (for the minute). Unlike SNN, ORK is not a one airline town. Its called not putting your eggs in one basket.
Brian.
How can you say that bmi were "worried" about the FR presence and then in the next breath say "FR have not depressed yields" ? Maybe it was the warm fuzzy, Irish welcome the people of the ACA were giving bmi that made them realise the fight with FR was more hasstle than it was worth, and flying ERJs to Nottingham from LHR was a better option.
FR have provided options and direct routings, so demand for connecting flights drops. The catchment area of any airport is finate, there are only so many bums to chase.
Like I said, SNN has made its bed with FR, now its time to lie in it. Tough.
Would I be pissed if EI pulled ORK-LHR, naturally. But there are other options. AMS and CDG being two, SNN being another for TA fligths (for the minute). Unlike SNN, ORK is not a one airline town. Its called not putting your eggs in one basket.
Brian.
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Sure why would they tell the management at Shannon...an airport the DAA still have total control of...
So nobody told the government minister and nobody told Shannon. How handy was that for the DAA...
Dublin Airport Authority failed to tell Shannon of Aer Lingus plan
By Harry McGee, Political Editor
DUBLIN Airport Authority did not inform Shannon Airport Authority that Aer Lingus was seriously considering transferring all its Heathrow slots to Belfast even though it became fully aware of the situation in June.
In a development that is likely to add to tensions between the Dublin Authority (DAA) and its Shannon subsidiary (SAA); a spokesman for DAA told the Irish Examiner this weekend that the DAA first learnt of the proposed move on June 13.
The spokesman confirmed that while the DAA knew that there was a strong likelihood that Aer Lingus would cease its Shannon to Heathrow service, it did not pass on that information to the SAA at that time.
However, he defended the decision not to pass on the information to the SAA on the grounds that the information was imparted to the DAA on the basis of the strictest confidentiality.
On June 13, a senior official from the Department of Transport contacted the DAA, which has responsibility for Shannon Airport, seeking information about passenger load, or the number of passengers using the Shannon to Heathrow route.
The transport official was told that the Shannon to Heathrow service was performing reasonably well, and that its passenger load had increased because of the withdrawal of two competing services offered by Easyjet and Ryanair.
This official included this in a “Note for the Minister’s Information” drafted later on the same day. That was the memo outlining the probable and imminent loss of Shannon’s Heathrow slots that the assistant secretary of the department John Murphy did not forward to the new minister, Noel Dempsey, after he took up his position on June 14.
The DAA spokesman acknowledged the official from Transport explained the context of the call to the official from the airport authority, and it was made clear Aer Lingus was contemplating a Belfast base that would result in the transfer of all Shannon Airport’s Heathrow slots.
It was also made clear to the DAA official that a final decision had not been taken and that a new Belfast hub was one of a range of options open to it. DAA would not disclose the identity of its official, how senior he or she was, or who else within DAA senior management was informed.
It came on a weekend when 4,000 people rallied in Limerick to protest at the end of the Heathrow link. In addition, European Minister Dick Roche last night raised the prospect of a civil servant resigning over the failure to inform Mr Dempsey.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week In Politics, Mr Roche said: “The minister was very mild on the department. If I was in his position I would have been incandescent with rage.”
Like Mr Dempsey, authorities in Shannon did not learn about the fate of the Heathrow service until six weeks later, the day the announcement was made by Aer Lingus on August 6.
No SAA official was available for comment yesterday but it is likely the authority will bring the matter up with the DAA and discuss it at its next board meeting.
If it had been made aware at an earlier date, it may have been in a better position to negotiate with other airlines.
There have been tensions in the past between the DAA and Shannon and Cork airports. The DAA has responsibility for all three airports but both airports have their own authorities since late 2004. However, full autonomy has yet to be transferred.
While the DAA will argue it was not in a position to inform its of such a serious development, the fact that it knew for six weeks will lead to claims that it does not have the best interests of Shannon at heart.
So nobody told the government minister and nobody told Shannon. How handy was that for the DAA...
Dublin Airport Authority failed to tell Shannon of Aer Lingus plan
By Harry McGee, Political Editor
DUBLIN Airport Authority did not inform Shannon Airport Authority that Aer Lingus was seriously considering transferring all its Heathrow slots to Belfast even though it became fully aware of the situation in June.
In a development that is likely to add to tensions between the Dublin Authority (DAA) and its Shannon subsidiary (SAA); a spokesman for DAA told the Irish Examiner this weekend that the DAA first learnt of the proposed move on June 13.
The spokesman confirmed that while the DAA knew that there was a strong likelihood that Aer Lingus would cease its Shannon to Heathrow service, it did not pass on that information to the SAA at that time.
However, he defended the decision not to pass on the information to the SAA on the grounds that the information was imparted to the DAA on the basis of the strictest confidentiality.
On June 13, a senior official from the Department of Transport contacted the DAA, which has responsibility for Shannon Airport, seeking information about passenger load, or the number of passengers using the Shannon to Heathrow route.
The transport official was told that the Shannon to Heathrow service was performing reasonably well, and that its passenger load had increased because of the withdrawal of two competing services offered by Easyjet and Ryanair.
This official included this in a “Note for the Minister’s Information” drafted later on the same day. That was the memo outlining the probable and imminent loss of Shannon’s Heathrow slots that the assistant secretary of the department John Murphy did not forward to the new minister, Noel Dempsey, after he took up his position on June 14.
The DAA spokesman acknowledged the official from Transport explained the context of the call to the official from the airport authority, and it was made clear Aer Lingus was contemplating a Belfast base that would result in the transfer of all Shannon Airport’s Heathrow slots.
It was also made clear to the DAA official that a final decision had not been taken and that a new Belfast hub was one of a range of options open to it. DAA would not disclose the identity of its official, how senior he or she was, or who else within DAA senior management was informed.
It came on a weekend when 4,000 people rallied in Limerick to protest at the end of the Heathrow link. In addition, European Minister Dick Roche last night raised the prospect of a civil servant resigning over the failure to inform Mr Dempsey.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week In Politics, Mr Roche said: “The minister was very mild on the department. If I was in his position I would have been incandescent with rage.”
Like Mr Dempsey, authorities in Shannon did not learn about the fate of the Heathrow service until six weeks later, the day the announcement was made by Aer Lingus on August 6.
No SAA official was available for comment yesterday but it is likely the authority will bring the matter up with the DAA and discuss it at its next board meeting.
If it had been made aware at an earlier date, it may have been in a better position to negotiate with other airlines.
There have been tensions in the past between the DAA and Shannon and Cork airports. The DAA has responsibility for all three airports but both airports have their own authorities since late 2004. However, full autonomy has yet to be transferred.
While the DAA will argue it was not in a position to inform its of such a serious development, the fact that it knew for six weeks will lead to claims that it does not have the best interests of Shannon at heart.
Last edited by vkid; 22nd Oct 2007 at 07:26.
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To be honest, although I doubt it will be effective, I'm impressed by the ability to get people out in those numbers. I wish people in Cork had shown similar resolve over the airport debt situation.
As for the coverage it has got, it's not really that surprising. Ireland is an island with a relatively small population. Aviation is critical in providing a means of trading with and visiting the rest of the world. While someone in Belgium doesn't have to go to too much effort to drive or take the train to Schiphol, Franfurt or De Gaulle, that option doesn't exist in Ireland. Aviation will always be more important. It's a pity the government doesn't seem to have an aviation policy to reflect that. Everything seems to be based on doing just enough to placate voters rather than producing contructive policies to enhance connectivity.
Anyway, in an it never rains but it pours story, people might be interested in this article from last Saturday's Examiner.
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer...story45767.asp
As for the coverage it has got, it's not really that surprising. Ireland is an island with a relatively small population. Aviation is critical in providing a means of trading with and visiting the rest of the world. While someone in Belgium doesn't have to go to too much effort to drive or take the train to Schiphol, Franfurt or De Gaulle, that option doesn't exist in Ireland. Aviation will always be more important. It's a pity the government doesn't seem to have an aviation policy to reflect that. Everything seems to be based on doing just enough to placate voters rather than producing contructive policies to enhance connectivity.
Anyway, in an it never rains but it pours story, people might be interested in this article from last Saturday's Examiner.
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer...story45767.asp
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It seems that there are more revelations every day; it now emerges that the DAA was made aware in June ... so the department knew, the DAA knew, Aer Lingus (obviously!) knew ... but the minister didn't.
The thing that concerns me is this; if it were just one "error" - a "human error" in the Dept of Transport - one could perhaps forgive it; mistakes happen, but it just seems to me that the more we find out about this (a) the more it seems that the cards were heavily stacked against SNN from day one of this debacle, (b) the more incredible it seems that the minister was unaware and (c) the more questions need to be asked about the role of the Dept of Transport in this. It does not seem that there is much control at political level. If the minister was "kept in the dark", what does this say about a hugely important issue, politically. I just CANNOT believe that the minister would have been kept totally in the dark for six weeks!
Incidentally, Dempsey is to face more questions in the Dail today. Interesting to see how he gets out of this.
I was just thinking about how the "Swiss cheese" theory could be applied to the Dept of Transport; I know it's normally used for accidents, but it seems that in the way air transport is managed in Ireland, there is a huge potential for its application; no one is responsible (or accepts responsibility) , no one seems to know anything, no one seems to be in control, there's no clearly identifiable policy, direction or objectives ... all of these are the holes and the result is well, what we see here ... a major decision is taken, in defiance of govt policy; no one's responsible, no one knew, no one told anyone, everybody knew that someone should tell the minister, but no one did, etc. This is a department crying out for someone to come in, clear out the deadwood and make it work properly.
The thing that concerns me is this; if it were just one "error" - a "human error" in the Dept of Transport - one could perhaps forgive it; mistakes happen, but it just seems to me that the more we find out about this (a) the more it seems that the cards were heavily stacked against SNN from day one of this debacle, (b) the more incredible it seems that the minister was unaware and (c) the more questions need to be asked about the role of the Dept of Transport in this. It does not seem that there is much control at political level. If the minister was "kept in the dark", what does this say about a hugely important issue, politically. I just CANNOT believe that the minister would have been kept totally in the dark for six weeks!
Incidentally, Dempsey is to face more questions in the Dail today. Interesting to see how he gets out of this.
I was just thinking about how the "Swiss cheese" theory could be applied to the Dept of Transport; I know it's normally used for accidents, but it seems that in the way air transport is managed in Ireland, there is a huge potential for its application; no one is responsible (or accepts responsibility) , no one seems to know anything, no one seems to be in control, there's no clearly identifiable policy, direction or objectives ... all of these are the holes and the result is well, what we see here ... a major decision is taken, in defiance of govt policy; no one's responsible, no one knew, no one told anyone, everybody knew that someone should tell the minister, but no one did, etc. This is a department crying out for someone to come in, clear out the deadwood and make it work properly.
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Contrary to what you read on here, it seems that it is irrelevant what the SAA do in regards to the running of the Airport. How they were expected to either forsee this move or makes changes to prevent it are irellevent. Shannon was screwed by the DAA. FACT! Talk of squandering its resources etc are a load of waffle with the DAA on a course to destroy the place before it ever gets independence. The major stumbling block to that independence from the DAA was its cost base which was reduced months ago. Fair play to Shanahan. How would anyone do that job with the political ****e being pulled by the DAA.. Cork should watch out..because the DAA are only interested in their shiny new terminal and filling that...regardless of how strong you think Cork's position is the DAA have plans and they dont seem to feature anywhere but Dumpland..sorry Dublin
Shannon airport boss resigns
Tuesday, 23 October 2007 18:01
The man in charge of running Shannon Airport has resigned in protest over being kept in the dark about Aer Lingus plans to end its Shannon-Heathrow flights.
Pat Shanahan said his position as Executive Chairman had become untenable after the Dublin Airport Authority failed to disclose that it knew of the Aer Lingus plan.
Mr Shanaghan announced his resignation after a three hour emergency meeting of the Shannon Airport Board this afternoon.
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He said he would continue in his non-Executive role on the board and would be concentrating his efforts on achieving independence for Shannon from Dublin as soon as possible.
The airport board has said the failure of the Dublin Airport Authority to pass on critical information relating to the withdrawal of the Heathrow service amounted to a breach of its obligations under its management agreement.
The board said there was now a clear conflict of interest and Shannon airport should be given its independence without further delay.
It emerged earlier this week that the DAA knew of the Aer Lingus decision to transfer its Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast last June.
However, the Shannon board did not learn of the decision until the beginning of August.
A spokesman for the DAA said it did not pass the information on because it had been given to it in the strictest confidence.
Shannon airport boss resigns
Tuesday, 23 October 2007 18:01
The man in charge of running Shannon Airport has resigned in protest over being kept in the dark about Aer Lingus plans to end its Shannon-Heathrow flights.
Pat Shanahan said his position as Executive Chairman had become untenable after the Dublin Airport Authority failed to disclose that it knew of the Aer Lingus plan.
Mr Shanaghan announced his resignation after a three hour emergency meeting of the Shannon Airport Board this afternoon.
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He said he would continue in his non-Executive role on the board and would be concentrating his efforts on achieving independence for Shannon from Dublin as soon as possible.
The airport board has said the failure of the Dublin Airport Authority to pass on critical information relating to the withdrawal of the Heathrow service amounted to a breach of its obligations under its management agreement.
The board said there was now a clear conflict of interest and Shannon airport should be given its independence without further delay.
It emerged earlier this week that the DAA knew of the Aer Lingus decision to transfer its Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast last June.
However, the Shannon board did not learn of the decision until the beginning of August.
A spokesman for the DAA said it did not pass the information on because it had been given to it in the strictest confidence.
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Shannon
Wow a lot of harsh words there Vkid about Dublin etc,as I've followed Irish aviation for over 30 years now its sad to see it develope into a Shannon verus Dublin attitude.There is a good demand for direct flights from Shannon to Europe on certain routes and its great to See Ryanair service these routes but you must look at what these new services have done to the limited population around the Shannon region and for the yields available on the heathrow route etc.I hope Cityjet have a serious look at a CDG or AMS route but again the yields are what will decide if any of these routes will start.I would loved to have seen the same effort by the Shannon lobby groups in promoting new services as has been displayed in trying to maintain the heathrow link.Shannon should look at the positive facilities it has a new terminal,decent size runway, little congestion.I feel a lot of the blame lies with the government they let the stopover mask the problems at Shannon they let the AerRianta/DAA run their own show with little regard for the end users us customers.Dublin airport is one massive mess and the blame must lie with the government after years of neglect.Just my 5 cent worth.
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Shannon's archaic work practices at both Aer lingus and the old Aer Rianta are responsible for a lot of the pain that's now being felt there. Does anyone know if the DAA sanctioned the Ryanair deal in 2004? or did the Shannon board do a solo run and present the DAA with a fait accomplait. It's terms were very generous for an airport with such a high cost base. Furthermore Ryanair were constantly refused similar deals at both Dublin and Cork.
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no real offence intended to Dublin people (I'm angry over this as are most people in the region) but with recent revelations what do ye expect? Very little that happens at Shannon happens without sign off from the DAA. It is not an independent board and that is obvious from recent developments) I agree there have been issues at Shannon but please..this attitude that it is SNN's own fault is a load of nonsense. There is a definite conflict of interest and the DAA are using that to kill the place off before it ever gets independence. Shannon can do very little without the DAA's say so and anyone who thinks that is allowing Shannon to grow its business is talking rubbish. The DAA are only interested in their own interests. Balanced regional devlopment my ass...and that goes beyond air policy. Dublin people dont see that because it doesnt really affect them but it is the truth..
And as for Ryanair I would say the DAA allowed that one through to shut them up in Shannon for a while. 3 Airports should be independent of each other if there is to be real competition. My opinion is Shannon is seen as a threat to Dublin when it becomes an independent entity..especially in light of Open Skies...
And as for Ryanair I would say the DAA allowed that one through to shut them up in Shannon for a while. 3 Airports should be independent of each other if there is to be real competition. My opinion is Shannon is seen as a threat to Dublin when it becomes an independent entity..especially in light of Open Skies...
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My opinion is Shannon is seen as a threat to Dublin when it becomes an independent entity..especially in light of Open Skies...
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I can see his point though. While Shannon will never challenge Dublin's dominance, why would the DAA put any effort into increasing passenger numbers in Shannon or Cork? If they managed to add a million to both airports, even with new traffic, that might be a million who don't fly through Dublin. If Dublin is all they'll end up managing in a few years time, it would be counter-productive.
In the current situation, it Is in the DAA's interest to stymie growth at Cork and Shannon.
In the current situation, it Is in the DAA's interest to stymie growth at Cork and Shannon.
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exactly 840..DAA dont want Shannon to hold onto anything never mind what it has. They want 1 international airport in this country and a few regional airports (preferably feeding into Dublin) and for the same reason I doubt you will ever see transatlantic from Cork