Shannon Airport Thread [Mod Warning in First Post]

Brennans Row

Delta take-off (Limerick Post)
Delta Air Lines is resuming its summer seasonal flights between Shannon and New York JFK.

The flights will operate daily from May 17, in conjunction with joint venture partners Air France and KLM.

The service will be operated with a 167 seat B757-200 aircraft.

“The summer is always the most popular time for leisure travel, particulary to New York, so it’s important we offer services to meet this demand,” said Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

How does this joint venture between Delta and Air France / KLM work from Shannon’s point of view?

GCU Flexible Demeanour

Brennans Row wrote: »

How does this joint venture between Delta and Air France / KLM work from Shannon’s point of view?

Is it a codeshare? Basically, Delta run the service, but all three airlines sell tickets for the flight as if it was one of their own.

So KL 6153, AF 3674 and DL 223 are all the same actual flight. But a KLM customer might have just booked it on their website, etc.

Henry Ford III

I'd be very wary of "The Donald". I certainly wouldn't provide the Doonbeg project any form of credit.

JCX BXC

Brennans Row wrote: »

Shannon Airport sees Trump's acquisition as an ideal opportunity to promote golf tourism to the American market with the pure intention of increasing Trans-Atlantic passengers.

Finally, A reason logical reason for Shannon having done what they did.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

Carnacalla wrote: »

Finally, A reason logical reason for Shannon having done what they did.

I don't think anyone was especially saying that it was illogical for Shannon to overdo the obsequious bit. The bovver was about our Finance Minister demeaning the State.

You see, this is being presented as Ireland bowing and scraping before Trump, not Shannon bowing and scraping.

I think they sort of know they misjudged this one. No big deal, so long as we all learned something. In fairness, Cowen gave a letter of support to some bunch of eejits to go around the Middle East looking for funding for an airport in Athlone or something.

It's not the first time the national brand has been dragged through the mud.

JCX BXC

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

I don't think anyone was especially saying that it was illogical for Shannon to overdo the obsequious bit. The bovver was about our Finance Minister demeaning the State.

You see, this is being presented as Ireland bowing and scraping before Trump, not Shannon bowing and scraping.

I think they sort of know they misjudged this one. No big deal, so long as we all learned something. In fairness, Cowen gave a letter of support to some bunch of eejits to go around the Middle East looking for funding for an airport in Athlone or something.

It's not the first time the national brand has been dragged through the mud.

Anyway lets get over it, and what the hell, we have enough airports, too many, we only need the three established ones (and maybe a small one for connecting in donegal)

relaxed

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

You see, this is being presented as Ireland bowing and scraping before Trump, not Shannon bowing and scraping.

Where is this being presented as such, somewhere credible like the New York times or London financial times?

Who said they misjudged this one, has Enda Kenny or even the opposition leaders come out and said so or did you just make it up yourself?

Trump already bought the place, so where are Ireland bowing and scraping?

Its not like he arrived in 2009 after the crash seeking to buy ghost estates for €1000 per house.

Nothing wrong with a bit of a fan fare, there is no such thing as bad publicity so its all good. Try see it for what it is, which is free advertising and you might feel a bit better.

notharrypotter

there is no such thing as bad publicity

Just look at Ryanair.

Over the years there have been suggestiona as varied as standing only or pay to use the toilets.

In both cases they got acres of press coverage.

Neither was going to happen but.....

Brennans Row

In defense of Donald Trump and his red carpet Irish welcome (Irish Central)

By Eamon Delaney

Maybe it’s my old diplomatic training, but I was delighted to see the red carpet welcome we put on at Shannon Airport for billionaire Donald Trump as he arrived to announce further investment in his Doonbeg golf course. It was a literally a red carpet welcome, and as he came off his trademark personal jet and walked along it, he was greeted warmly by our Finance Minister, Michael Noonan, accompanied by a violinist in full flow, a harpist and a traditional Irish singer!

Fantastic. You won’t get that in many other small European countries, unless you’re the Queen of England. But we know how to do a welcome here. And you could see on the TV pictures that the notoriously prickly Trump was pleasantly taking it in. His catchphrase might be ‘you’re fired!’ from his time as the boss in the US version of TV’s "Apprentice," but on this occasion, the bequiffed one was looking at the friendly Gaels and more likely thinking ‘you’re hired.’ The local joke was that his hair had arrived a half hour before him, and got an equally warm welcome.

Inside the Shannon terminal, it was the serious business of speeches, and again not a foot put wrong, with Noonan and the Mayor of Clare beaming and Trump promising he would create hundreds of jobs, through his €54 million ($74m) redevelopment. ‘This is something that Ireland is going to be extremely proud of,’ said one of world’s most famous investors. The whole thing was a masterclass in what we do best, a combination of salesmanship and cultural chutzpah, or ‘the IDA meets Blarney Castle.’ And it works – just look at the amount of US-created jobs in Ireland.

So imagine my annoyance when I saw that, far from being impressed by this welcome, many naysayers thought it was ‘over the top’ and ‘demeaning’ and that our very busy Minister of Finance shouldn’t have been there. (Wake up guys, he’s a Limerick TD and there’s an election on.) This is a silly begrudging attitude which in much of the negative commentary was immediately undermined by the begrudgers concession that Donald Trump is in fact a very wealthy man whose investments have transformed New York and Las Vegas. Exactly. And if we got even a slice of this, wouldn't it be worth rolling out the red carpet?

As it is, Trump has committed to a major investment at the Doonbeg course, despite the serious environmental hurdles and the weather! The begrudgery also misses the point: Trump is also a major ‘showman’ celebrity and the reception was in that spirit. It’s a thing that we, the Irish, are good at. Trump arrived in his own personalized Boeing 757 jet with a big T logo on the tail fin, and arrived like a king, and we responded to that. The musicians on the tarmac were part of it all, and just a bit of craic. Even Noonan was treating it as a bit tongue in cheek, although with serious intent.

For the Shannon reception also showed Trump a sense of respect. It also showed that it is worth putting on a strong and welcoming show if it means boosting our FDI especially from the US, where so much of our investment comes from. Such hospitality results in Irish jobs, plain and simple, something that the begrudgers won’t be providing. It was an approach that worked for us in the 1960's when, in the midst of high emigration, this kind of inward investment saved our bacon. Interestingly, much of it began at Shannon, with the creation of an enterprise zone.

I speak from experience on this, as I recently had to bring some powerful American business people around Dublin, getting them political and cultural briefings, which they really appreciated it. We went out of our way for them, and they saw that. Most of them are CEOs who are close to near retirement, but they are still investing heavily, including in Ireland.

The begrudgers also complain that the likes of Trump are getting investments like Doonbeg for a knock down price. But, hey, welcome to the real world. Would they prefer that no one bought it? In fact, the can-do colorful Trump is the ideal figure for a challenging venture like Doonbeg, a golf course situated on the wild Atlantic, which unbelievably, is challenged by the environmental protection needs of an Ice age snail. But the naysayers should be happy about one thing. Trump is also opposed to any windfarms spoiling his golfer’s view.

And if they thought he could lead a national campaign on that one, they might even come and join us in a lucrative Cead Mile Failte!.

Eamon Delaney is a former diplomat and now a columnist and author.

zweton

can anyone see ryanair puting on more destinations from shannon?

JCX BXC

zweton wrote: »

can anyone see ryanair puting on more destinations from shannon?

Yes, I can.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

relaxed wrote: »

Where is this being presented as such, somewhere credible like the New York times or London financial times?

Try reading the thread.

relaxed wrote: »

Nothing wrong with a bit of a fan fare, there is no such thing as bad publicity so its all good. Try see it for what it is, which is free advertising and you might feel a bit better.

Fanfare is grand. Ryanair pumping up their reputation for being cheap with stories about charging for toilets is explicable.

Looking like you can roll our Finance Minister for a few tens of millions - less than the Department of Social Protection would spend in a day - is very bad.

relaxed

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

Try reading the thread.

I did read the thread, the highlight is a YouTube clip of noonan standing up while trump talks to a person in chains, mayor of Clare I assume.

There is nothing in the mainstream to support your view that "they", whoever that may be, politicians I assume, know they misjudged this one.

Nor is there anything to support your view that this is being presented as ireland scraping and bowing to trump.

As I said already, this perception seems to just be made up by yourself.

JCX BXC

Is this just the same arguement.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

Carnacalla wrote: »

Is this just the same arguement.

Yes, and the only problem is that "relaxed" hasn't read the thread. So we've Brennans Row citing another article from a leading Irish-American news site saying

Brennans Row wrote: »

So imagine my annoyance when I saw that, far from being impressed by this welcome, many naysayers thought it was ‘over the top’ and ‘demeaning’ and that our very busy Minister of Finance shouldn’t have been there.

And then we've relaxed the "many naysayers" that Eamon Delaney complains of don't exist.

And, presumably, we're to read nothing into the somewhat defensive video that Michael Noonan contributes to, which tries to pretend the investment is more significant than it is.

There's an election coming up. Politicians do stupid things. Brian Cowen opened a Tesco one time, the Government were so short of "jobs" announcements. But we should still be willing to call this stuff out.

JCX BXC

Anyway, back to shannon, not to our ejjits of politictions.

JCX BXC

I just noticed on Aer Lingus' service to faro, that their is a flight on saturday 31th of may, instead of friday the 30th. It is also operated by titan airways. Anyone know why?

highlydebased

Carnacalla wrote: »

I just noticed on Aer Lingus' service to faro, that their is a flight on saturday 31th of may, instead of friday the 30th. It is also operated by titan airways. Anyone know why?

Because of the threatened strike action.

JCX BXC

highlydebased wrote: »

Because of the threatened strike action.

Oh yeah, but why not operate it normally on the 30th?

relaxed

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

Yes, and the only problem is that "relaxed" hasn't read the thread. So we've Brennans Row citing another article from a leading Irish-American news site sayingAnd then we've relaxed the "many naysayers" that Eamon Delaney complains of don't exist.

And, presumably, we're to read nothing into the somewhat defensive video that Michael Noonan contributes to, which tries to pretend the investment is more significant than it is.

There's an election coming up. Politicians do stupid things. Brian Cowen opened a Tesco one time, the Government were so short of "jobs" announcements. But we should still be willing to call this stuff out.

So now you have 1 newspaper article, (that's just one persons opinion of course) along with a YouTube clip of Michael noonan standing up, so there is still nothing in the mainstream to support your opinion that they know they misjudged and that Ireland is seen to have gone with begging bowl to trump.

highlydebased

Carnacalla wrote: »

Oh yeah, but why not operate it normally on the 30th?

The strike is on the 30th! The flight on the saturday will carry those displaced from the Friday flight.

JCX BXC

highlydebased wrote: »

The strike is on the 30th! The flight on the saturday will carry those displaced from the Friday flight.

But the strike is aer lingus, not the charter company. And why didnt they just do the flight on the 30th?

highlydebased

Carnacalla wrote: »

But the strike is aer lingus, not the charter company. And why didnt they just do the flight on the 30th?

Most probably to simply avoid confusion- the official EI statement says all flights are cancelled on the 30th except for Regional. Additional capacity on 29th and 31st to make up for it.

seachto7

Any truth to the rumour there will be lay offs by Trump in November?

I wonder will Noonan and Brennan's Row have the red carpet out then?

GCU Flexible Demeanour

relaxed wrote: »

So now you have 1 newspaper article, (that's just one persons opinion of course) along with a YouTube clip of Michael noonan standing up, so there is still nothing in the mainstream to support your opinion that they know they misjudged and that Ireland is seen to have gone with begging bowl to trump.

Ah, yeah, what I'm saying is so peripheral that Michael Noonan felt that he had to go on national radio to defend his actions

http://www.herald.ie/news/the-donald-deserved-red-carpet-says-noonan-30281146.html

FINANCE Minister Michael Noonan has defended rolling out the red carpet for American billionaire Donald Trump in a welcome that included a musical trio.

Come to Ireland. Buy a distressed asset at a knock-down price and get the local Finance Minister thrown in for free.

We've learnt nothing at all.

Brennans Row

seachto7 wrote: »

Any truth to the rumour there will be lay offs by Trump in November?

Obviously if Trump didn't take it over in February when it was in receivership, nobody would be probably working there now, let alone up to November.

Tourism in the west of Ireland is seasonal and in the winter time the industry scales back radically.

This applies to the airlines operating at Shannon Airport too.

Rumours? Apart from an Irish Mirror article based on one anonymous letter regarding lay-offs, as it seems that the storm damage to the golf course will repaired in the off season.

seachto7 wrote: »

I wonder will Noonan and Brennan's Row have the red carpet out then?

Are you trying to make this “Red Carpet” a personal thing with me or what?

Brennans Row

Foynes/Shannon 75th Anniversary Airshow (Limerick Post)

Foynes is set to stage one of Ireland’s most spectacular air shows in July when a historic moment in the Limerick port’s remarkable contribution to global aviation will be celebrated.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be among the many who will flock to the West Limerick town on July 5 and 6 as it celebrates the moment 75 years ago that the Pan American Airways ‘Yankee Clipper’ flying-boat made history with the first commercial transatlantic crossing to Foynes.

The Foynes/Shannon 75th Anniversary Airshow will be a key element of a weekend tribute to the airmen who crossed the Atlantic on the historic flight.

The celebrations were officially announced at the weekend at Shannon Airport to coincide with yet another key milestone for aviation on the estuary – the 75th anniversary of the first aircraft, the Irish Air Corps Aero Anson A43, landing at Rineanna, which is now Shannon Airport.

The high point of the July festival will be a three-hour airshow on Sunday, July 6 when over 20 acts from Ireland, the UK and Europe are booked to appear and Taoiseach Enda Kenny will unveil a plaque to all who used the Foynes Air Base.

The festival will also include a dare-devil display at dusk on Saturday by the UK based Breitling Wing Walkers as well as a Sky Pyro Show and a fireworks display over the river and harbour.

JCX BXC

The delta flight that started on the 17th was delayed by 2hrs 20mins and didn't depart until three. Did they still pre-clear or did they have to do that in New York

crazyguy01

Carnacalla wrote: »

The delta flight that started on the 17th was delayed by 2hrs 20mins and didn't depart until three. Did they still pre-clear or did they have to do that in New York

All pre-cleared in Shannon

relaxed

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

Ah, yeah, what I'm saying is so peripheral that Michael Noonan felt that he had to go on national radio to defend his actionsCome to Ireland. Buy a distressed asset at a knock-down price and get the local Finance Minister thrown in for free.

We've learnt nothing at all.

Theres actually nothing in that newpaper article if you read it.

It still seems to be yourself and 1 journalist in the states that have the problem.

Nothing in the article suggests that they (the politicians I assume) know they misjudged this, and nothing in it to support your opinion that Ireland is being portrayed as going cap in hand with a begging bowl to Trump.

And you have a youtube clip of Michael Noonan standing up of course.


The red carpet and reception is a bit cringy but so are most of the naff things politicians will do.

seachto7

relaxed wrote: »

The red carpet and reception is a bit cringy but so are most of the naff things politicians will do.

Yeah, all that stuff Bertie, Haughey and the rest of them did was all a bit "naff" wasn't it?

Brennans Row

Aer Lingus Regional, the airline operated by Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann) saw passenger numbers increase 35 per cent last month compared to April 2013.

Passengers to and from Shannon Airport rose 39 per cent.

More UK travellers are using the service to connect to transatlantic routes.

Stobart Air commercial director Simon Fagan said the airline has seen more UK-based passengers using Aer Lingus Regional routes to make connecting transatlantic flights from Dublin and Shannon.

Mr Fagan attributed this to Aer Lingus routes to San Francisco and Toronto. (Irish Times)

---

Since there are no Aer Lingus flights to San Francisco or Toronto from Shannon Airport, how big an impact does Aer Lingus Regional have on Shannon's transatlantic flights?

JCX BXC

Brennans Row wrote: »

Aer Lingus Regional, the airline operated by Stobart Air (formerly Aer Arann) saw passenger numbers increase 35 per cent last month compared to April 2013.

Passengers to and from Shannon Airport rose 39 per cent.

More UK travellers are using the service to connect to transatlantic routes.

Stobart Air commercial director Simon Fagan said the airline has seen more UK-based passengers using Aer Lingus Regional routes to make connecting transatlantic flights from Dublin and Shannon.

Mr Fagan attributed this to Aer Lingus routes to San Francisco and Toronto. (Irish Times)

---

Since there are no Aer Lingus flights to San Francisco or Toronto from Shannon Airport, how big an impact does Aer Lingus Regional have on Shannon's transatlantic flights?

That's a very strange finding.
I find Transatlantic flight from Shannon (and Dublin) are quite cheap.
Their is also the benefit of pre-clearance.
Anyone I know that has gone to the us, has gone via Shannon and Dublin.

There is a SNN-Toronto flight, but not Aer Lingus (As you said) and its once a week.


The shannon passenger numbers seem to have exploded in April.
What would you estimate for the passenger numbers for 2014.

GCU Flexible Demeanour

relaxed wrote: »

Theres actually nothing in that newpaper article if you read it.

The very fact that Noonan responded is significant. If there was nothing of substnec to worry about, he'd have ignored the criticism

Brennans Row

Carnacalla wrote: »

The shannon passenger numbers seem to have exploded in April.
What would you estimate for the passenger numbers for 2014.

With the new routes from Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional, the passenger numbers could hit the 1.7 million this year.

The falling transit passenger numbers (US troops) and the ongoing industrial disputes (Aer Lingus, SNN) could have an adverse effect.

relaxed

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

The very fact that Noonan responded is significant. If there was nothing of substnec to worry about, he'd have ignored the criticism

Like I said theres nothing in that article. Its a newspaper column, not an official statement from the minister for finance.

What critics, I don't see any of them named in it?

Where does he concede they misjudged things - quite the contrary from reading his quotes.

Theres nothing in the article to support your opinion that this is being presented as Ireland bowing to Trump cap in hand.

Brennans Row

Shannon Free Zone on founding board of World Free Zones Organisation, launched in Dubai (Shannon Airport)

Representation on board will be major opportunity to grow trade for Shannon and Ireland.

The birthplace of duty free zones, Shannon Airport, has today scored another remarkable first as its Chairman Rose Hynes was named as one of the founding board members of the World Free Zones Organisation at its launch in Dubai.

Ms Hynes also takes a key role in the new organisation as its founding Treasurer.

The inaugural board gathered today at the Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel in Dubai for the launch of the influential new body by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Shannon is one of only two European free zones on the inaugural board, along with Barcelona.

“We are in great company as this organisation brings leading Free Zone expertise together from around the world. It will promote an exchange of ideas and business connections and will facilitate trade.

Undoubtedly Shannon and Ireland will benefit from that. Being a member of the founding board positions Shannon excellently to take advantage of what is a unique networking opportunity at a very high level.”

---

So is this part of the new Shannon Group's strategy where in post 32 it states “SAA’s ambition, working with its new joint venture partner, is to use the joint venture’s skills and resources to bid for travel retail opportunities in other international airports and potentially provide consultancy services to developing airports” ?

GCU Flexible Demeanour

relaxed wrote: »

Where does he concede they misjudged things - quite the contrary from reading his quotes.

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

The very fact that Noonan responded is significant. If there was nothing of substnec to worry about, he'd have ignored the criticism

Rinse. Repeat as required.

Brennans Row wrote: »

<...>The birthplace of duty free zones, Shannon Airport, has today scored another remarkable first as its Chairman Rose Hynes was named as one of the founding board members of the World Free Zones Organisation at its launch in Dubai.

In what sense is Shannon still a Free Zone? (I mean, beyond the business park using those words in its name.)

(And I'd wonder about the Barcelona one too.)

Brennans Row

GCU Flexible Demeanour wrote: »

In what sense is Shannon still a Free Zone? (I mean, beyond the business park using those words in its name.)

As you correctly say in name only and of course the legacy of experience associated with starting up a free zone, duty free airports like ARI.

Do you feel this to be a snub to ARI's owners in Dublin for not being there?

GCU Flexible Demeanour

Brennans Row wrote: »

Do you feel this to be a snub to ARI's owners in Dublin for not being there?

No, I just wonder what happens when they notice that Shannon (and I'd guess Barcelona, too, but I don't know) isn't really a Free Zone.

Now, it's grand, they'll be mixing with people who actually have money to spend. It's just that, at some stage, you'd expect an investor to suggest to this accountant that the office junior might do a little Googling.

JCX BXC

What is employment like in shannon atm?

JCX BXC

I thought Aer Lingus Launched a Year round service to JFK?
It seems to end in January!

Jamie2k9

Carnacalla wrote: »

I thought Aer Lingus Launched a Year round service to JFK?
It seems to end in January!

It was always going to go like this, no matter what aircraft size is on a route those 12 weeks in the new year are not profitable.

JCX BXC

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

It was always going to go like this, no matter what aircraft size is on a route those 12 weeks in the new year are not profitable.

I thought they launched a year round service.

The boston flights are continuing, as well as the united ones.


Link:
http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/14-03-31/Shannon_s_transatlantic_links_strengthened_again_as_year-round_Aer_Lingus_service_to_New_York_begins.aspx

Jamie2k9

Carnacalla wrote: »

I thought they launched a year round service.

The boston flights are continuing, as well as the united ones.


Link:
http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/14-03-31/Shannon_s_transatlantic_links_strengthened_again_as_year-round_Aer_Lingus_service_to_New_York_begins.aspx

Year Round sounds much better when dealing with the media. United reduce it around that period by 1 or 2 weekly.

I never expected it to last year round.

JCX BXC

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Year Round sounds much better when dealing with the media. United reduce it around that period by 1 or 2 weekly.

I never expected it to last year round.

How come the boston flights do?

Jamie2k9

Carnacalla wrote: »

How come the boston flights do?

No competition is the primary reasons and running both JFK and BOS together probably makes both of them un viable over that period so running one makes them money or loses very little.

JCX BXC

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No competition is the primary reasons and running both JFK and BOS together probably makes both of them un viable over that period so running one makes them money or loses very little.

Anyway, its an Improvement on last year:P

(Aer Lingus site, broken AGAIN. - You cannot book flights or even look at prices.)

Brennans Row

New Chinese ambassador pays visit to Shannon (Limerick Leader)

Shannon Airport chairman Rose Hynes had a “very positive” meeting with the recently appointed Chinese ambassador Xu Jianguo on what was the first official engagement outside Dublin for Beijing’s new man in Ireland.

“We had a very positive meeting during which we discussed the very close ties between the regions as well as the opportunities that exist to deepen these in the years ahead.”

Among those potential opportunities is the training of Chinese pilots at Shannon as plans to develop an international aviation centre of excellence around the airport take shape.

He heard from Ms Hynes and other members of the management team of development plans for the airport proper, the Shannon Free Zone and the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC).

Shannon’s relationship with the Chinese administration goes back to 1980 when Jiang Zemin - then a bureaucrat who would later become president of China - led a delegation to Shannon to study the Shannon Free Zone model, which has since been adopted across China with the development of their hugely successful special economic zones.

“Jiang Zemin’s visit to Shannon began a stream of visits which saw two Chinese premiers and many Chinese government delegations come to the region to further explore the regional economic development model here.

Since then, among those to have visited Shannon were President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Huang Ju and Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan,” commented a spokesman for the airport.

---

Then the Shannon Group should waste no time in setting up a pilot training school (post 139).

Brennans Row

Carnacalla wrote: »

I thought Aer Lingus Launched a Year round service to JFK?

It seems to end in January!

Can you link that to a source?