Shannon Airport Thread [Mod Warning in First Post]

Brennans Row

The UK Airport Provisional Statistics for July.

The overall total UK figures are down -3.0% as against the same month from last year.

Jamie2k9

July traffic +2.6%

highlydebased

79% average lf for BHX and 86% for MAN. That's alright

Brennans Row

The Andy Lee v Billy Joe Saunders, WBO World title boxing venue switch from Thomond Park to Manchester is definitely a set-back for hosting such events here.

I wonder will people still travel in numbers to Manchester from Shannon for it?

The Rugby World Cup starts next month and I see Ryanair have put on special flights for the Cardiff games from Shannon.

Cardiff: Ireland v Canada
London: Ireland v Romania
London: Ireland v Italy
Cardiff: Ireland v France

Brennans Row

Shannon Airport Among Areas At Risk Of Flooding (Clarefm)

Shannon Airport is one of 11 areas in Clare which have been identified as being at risk of flooding.

Minister Simon Harris has told the Irish Independent that the Office of Public Works has identified 300 areas nationwide which could be flooded, as part of the process which will lead to a National Flood Relief Plan.

Shannon Airport Flood Risk Review Report (OPW)

River Flow Path
At this location the Shannon Estuary is inter-tidal, and therefore can be considered to potentially have both “fluvial tidal” and “coastal” flooding influences. There are also a few minor watercourses that could potentially present a flood risk.

Shannon International Airport is located on the northern shore of the River Shannon behind tidal embankments, immediately southwest of Shannon Town. The estuary of the River Fergus is located west of the airport, which also has tidal embankments defending the land behind.

Local Authority Comments
Critical Infrastructure, Airport building approximately 2 metres below level of Shannon and also has a basement. Large aviation fuel store at site. Site is also a SEVESO site.

Major concern with regard to the flooding potential from the Shannon in the event of a breach of the embankments.

Hydraulic Constrictions and Conveyance Routes
Flood risk at Shannon Airport is primarily from the Shannon Estuary. However, there are a number of smaller watercourses – including drains – that are within the area, for which there are culvert and bridge crossings. It is also noted that the Fergus Estuary to the west may present a flood risk.

Given the flat topography of the land behind the embankments (Shannon and Fergus) any breach of the defences would tend to spread across the land behind the embankments, affecting Shannon Airport. There is no clear conveyance route away from the airport.

Formal and Informal Flood Defence Assets
Shannon (including the airport) is protected on its south side by extensive flood defence embankments of varying heights. These extend for many kilometres to the east and west, along the Shannon Estuary and the Fergus Estuary protecting large areas of low lying land behind them.

Integral to the flood defence provided by these embankments is the series of drainage channels and back drains behind the embankments, outfalls (with tidal flaps) from these drainage channels through the embankments, and pumping stations to discharge water through the embankments.

Outcomes Recommended Designation
Shannon Airport has a major flood risk from tidal flooding in the event of a breach of the Shannon Estuary or Fergus Estuary embankments.

It is recommended to be identified as an IRR on the basis of its location behind these embankments and its strategic national importance, rather than because of any previous flood events.

Brennans Row

UL GEMS signs MOU with leading US Medical School (UL)

The University of Limerick has signed a Memorandum of Understanding between its Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) and one of North America’s leading comprehensive medical schools, the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, located in New Brunswick, New Jersey and part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

The agreement will facilitate the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Medicine between both institutions. It will open up opportunities for UL medical students to study overseas as part of their programme at GEMS. It is also hoped to develop research collaboration.

There is an added dimension to this new agreement as Limerick and New Brunswick are sister cities, linked by direct flights daily between Newark and Shannon airports.

Nice to see some joined up thinking between UL and Shannon Airport.

Brennans Row

Irish win two gold medals at WorldSkills competition (Irish Times)

A group of Ireland’s top young apprentices gave up their summers to train for the WorldSkills Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last week, and it paid off.

“The WorldSkills gives young, enthusiastic people in craft skills and apprenticeships the opportunity to benchmark their ability against the best in the world and to be the best they can be.

They will fly home with two gold medals, eight medallions of excellence and an 11th place ranking out of 70 countries.

Alina Sile, won one of those gold medals in her chosen trade – restaurant service. Originally from Latvia, she has studied at Shannon College of Hotel Management for the past three years.

Ros Wynne from Limerick, an apprentice at the Atlantic Aviation Group in Shannon, took home the other gold medal, for aircraft maintenance.

Brennans Row

National aviation policy commits to retaining State ownership of airports (RTE)

The country's first national aviation policy has been launched, which commits to retaining Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports in State ownership.

The strategy has been in development for three years.

The aviation industry employs 26,000 people directly and contributes over €4bn to the economy.

Those jobs and the tourism sector's reliance on air travel are at the centre of this new policy document announced by Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe.

It is proposed to retain Dublin Cork and Shannon airports in State ownership and to develop the industry through, among other things, increasing connectivity especially with emerging markets.

The strategy, which was developed following submissions from aviation and economic stakeholders, also commits to undertaking an independent review of the regulatory regime for airport charges.

There is nothing yet to be seen on the publications page and it will be curious to see if the “Ideas Paper on the Future of Shannon Airport” will have any bearing on it.

Brennans Row

Pat Breen, the chair of the Dail Foreign Affairs Committee has revealed that he is set to have talks today with the CEO of Egypt Air to explore giving the airline clearance rights at Shannon airport for its flights to the US and Canada. (Independent)

JCX BXC

Just seen an as on RTE1 after the One o clock news advertising "Inside Shannon" a programme starting on the 3rd of September.

Great advertising!

Jhcx

Carnacalla wrote: »

Just seen an as on RTE1 after the One o clock news advertising "Inside Shannon" a programme starting on the 3rd of September.

Great advertising!

Wasn't rte recording it. Well that's what I was told. Should be good

Brennans Row

The main national aviation policy areas that will be acted on for Shannon are

• The development of Shannon Airport as an air-cargo hub will be supported.
• Ireland will encourage the development of the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) at Shannon.
• The Department will support Shannon Airport in seeking to increase the number of GA aircraft utilising preclearance.

I found the following situation regarding corporate jets somewhat bizarre!

In addition to commercial aviation, the 2008 Preclearance Agreement with the US covers preclearance for general aviation/private aircraft flights (GA) and this has been available at Shannon since 2009. Given the high number of GA aircraft that land there for refuelling en route to the US, it is disappointing that a very low percentage of business jet operators avail of the facility.

Jamie2k9

Not surprising so few clear given the hours it's opened or could there be something such as high costs levied by the airport to use it which we don't know about?

dr.fuzzenstein

I seem to remember Shannon being a cargo hub some years ago, what went wrong last time?

Davys Fits

Preclearance may not be required by some of the transits and some may be entering airports where preclearance is not an option. I also know that there is a considerable delay getting through preclearance at SNN. If might be just as easy clear at the other end.

Airbus330

There is a couple of reasons why they don't avaiil of the CBP facility but it's mainly due to the fact that there is a considerable delays associated with using it. The requirements for using it are extremely strict and requirements for escorting staff too and from the aircraft, everything on board to be offloaded and brought through the process. I did over hear someone talking about all the requirements before and it does seem quite a hassle.

They also have to park at a patricular area (away from commercial a/c). I wish I could remember exactly what they were saying. Then yes there is restrictions on which airports the jets can travel too once through CBP in SNN (which is strange I know). As for the charges they pay regular charges like other a/c and then the U.S. Homeland security who operate CBP obviously set there own charges. Then it's closed early afternoon so what good is it for private jets landing in SNN at like 4/5 pm

Davys Fits

Thanks A330 for that informative insight. Always helps to listen.

Airbus330

Davys Fits wrote: »

Thanks A330 for that informative insight. Always helps to listen.

Appreciate that, thanks

Brennans Row

Brennans Row wrote: »

Pat Breen, the chair of the Dail Foreign Affairs Committee has revealed that he is set to have talks today with the CEO of Egypt Air to explore giving the airline clearance rights at Shannon airport for its flights to the US and Canada. (Independent)

According to Clarefm, Egyptian Air could bring up to 40,000 extra passengers to Shannon as part of a service to New York or Toronto.

JCX BXC

Brennans Row wrote: »

According to Clarefm, Egyptian Air could bring up to 40,000 extra passengers to Shannon as part of a service to New York or Toronto.

Interesting.
Does 40,000 pax not seem a bit low? It seems like in that case it would be either significantly less than daily stopping one way only.

If the service is to the US, will they be availing of USPC?

If the service stops both ways at SNN, will you be able to purchase tickets for the SNN legs? If so, it would be a great development for the airport as there would be services to both Cairo and possibly Toronto.

Jamie2k9

Carnacalla wrote: »

Interesting.
Does 40,000 pax not seem a bit low? It seems like in that case it would be either significantly less than daily stopping one way only.

If the service is to the US, will they be availing of USPC?

If the service stops both ways at SNN, will you be able to purchase tickets for the SNN legs? If so, it would be a great development for the airport as there would be services to both Cairo and possibly Toronto.

They only have a US service to JFK and YYZ in Canada. What would be more interesting is to know if the airline is "actually interested" in using SNN for USCBP/passenger rights or is this just a Clare TD in Egypt clutching at straws to increase SNN business (nothing wrong with that of course).

I beeive stopping services is not really popular today unless it is required in such as LCY-SNN-JFK is or ADD-DUB-LAX etc

Airbus330

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They only have a US service to JFK and YYZ in Canada. What would be more interesting is to know if the airline is "actually interested" in using SNN for USCBP/passenger rights or is this just a Clare TD in Egypt clutching at straws to increase SNN business (nothing wrong with that of course).

I beeive stopping services is not really popular today unless it is required in such as LCY-SNN-JFK is or ADD-DUB-LAX etc

I have to agree. I'd say this is the first and last time we'll hear about it unfortunately. There was rumours some time ago that BA would add all business from LCY to Bos and Chicago so I'd say they'd be the best bet tbh.

Nevertheless it would be great.

Airbus330

Also a heads up, a new series "Inside Shannon" is starting on RTE soon. It was filmed over a year and focuses on the running of the airport with Neil Pakey since becoming independent. Will give a great view of its operation and includes interviews with many of the Shannon Group Plc management.

Brennans Row

The CSO statistics for May are out.

JFK and Philadelphia had a good month.

The North American passengers are now up by +8.3% (January - May).

To break the 400,000 mark this year, Shannon would need a +7.4% increase.

JCX BXC

The A320 on the SNN-LHR route begins on the 18th of October.

highlydebased

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8WPx8lydRc

Brennans Row

Shannon Airport to have only US agriculture canine team (Irish Examiner)

Shannon Airport has become the only US pre-clearance facility to have an agriculture canine team.

Kingston the Beagle, and his partner Thanuja Hall, have officially joined the ranks at the Midwest airport.

It follows extensive training for the pair stateside.

Kingston is now responsible for preventing the transport of pests and disease into the United States from Ireland.

I’d imagine bringing Black Puddings, Rashers and Sausages for the relatives in the U.S. will be a difficult task to pass this guy!

Masala

gawd.... Could they not have hidden his face??? Now all will recognise him... He won't be able to be anonymous anymore. Passengers will be able to spot him now and avoid him if possible....

They should have pixalited his face at least

JCX BXC

Masala wrote: »

gawd.... Could they not have hidden his face??? Now all will recognise him... He won't be able to be anonymous anymore. Passengers will be able to spot him now and avoid him if possible....

They should have pixalited his face at least

As if a dog with an American security guard in USPC isnt obivous enough?

smurfjed

What's the benefit to Egypt Air to stop just to clear immigration? Their aircraft can easily operate non-stop to the USA, therefore the stop would just take the aircraft out of service a number of hours, it would also interfere with their crew scheduling as the aircraft wouldn't stop on the way back!

Any ideas?