Shannon gets some good news at last
An agreement with the US Government gives Shannon the potential to become a major hub for transatlantic airlines in Europe.
An Inter-Governmental Agreement with the US Government is to be signed in Washington DC on Monday to introduce pre-clearance facilities for US bound passengers at Shannon airport.
The chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA), Pat Shanahan described the announcement as “an historic day for Shannon”, forecasting that the airport will be able to rebuild its transatlantic business following the introduction of ‘open skies’ by offering effectively ‘domestic US flights’ to airlines.
Minister for De Fence, Willie O’Dea, who couldn’t be found for love nor money when Shannon’s London-Heathrow slots were given to Belfast by his government, turned up, : “It is a great day for Shannon and it is a day in the future that we will look back as a watershed and an historic day and a day which the future of this airport and the development of this business at this airport was secured.” said the bould WillieO.
The pre-clearance agreement between the two Governments will allow for passengers to undertake all necessary inspections before departing Shannon for the US. Up to now, only immigration clearance was provided with customs and agriculture inspections taking place on arrival in the US.
The SAA is investing €20 million to have the facilities in place for next Summer however the DAA has ensured Dublin doen’t lose out and their facilities will be in place for the Summer 2010.
Mr Shanahan said: “This agreement has the potential for Shannon to emerge as a major transatlantic aviation gateway.” He added: “It has the potential to significantly increase the number of transatlantic flights daily in and out of Shannon, which will strengthen revenue through increased landing and handling charges and support employment levels at the airport in the process. Becoming the first airport in Europe to have these facilities in place will be a very timely boost for Shannon airport considering the current global economic downturn as well as the full onset of Open Skies.”
Mr Shanahan added: “In addition to fast-tracking access for passengers flying from or through Shannon to US international airports, pre-clearance will also enable services to be established directly into any domestic US airport. This will make Shannon an ideal airport for low-cost transatlantic carriers and open the way for significant corporate jet business into any location in the US.”
The US authorities have said that they currently have no plans to extend pre-clearance elsewhere in Europe.
Passengers from Shannon will benefit from uninterrupted passage through US airports on arrival saving time. Trans Atlantic airlines will benefit from being able to fly into less congested and less expensive domestic terminals on arrival at US airports which should be of interest to Michael O’Leary, the Ryanair boss is very keen on starting up a Trans Atlantic service. This should help accommodate his wishes – with easier access to aircraft stands at smaller US airports than the current congested terminals such as JFK, Chicago and Newark - minimising the time between touchdown and disembarkation.