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Shannon airport

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    eastmayo wrote: »
    Thanks for that,737.300.17 years old,being around a while

    Are Lingus have an A330, three A321s and the ATR42 in the regional fleet that are 17 or older this year as far as I remember. Age isn't that important.

    Just because it's not a 737ng doesn't make it ancient - the oldest NGs are a few months newer


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,077 ✭✭✭questionmark?


    Anyone know if we can expect news on a replacement for the dropped Stobart routes. When it was dropped there was talk of at least two of the three routes been picked up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    Anyone know if we can expect news on a replacement for the dropped Stobart routes. When it was dropped there was talk of at least two of the three routes been picked up.

    Ryanair have said they will base a third aircraft in Shannon in September, and they will probably pick up the routes then. In the meantime its either fly to Manchester or London, or fly from cork or Dublin.

    Very disappointing.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,712 ✭✭✭roundymac


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Ryanair have said they will base a third aircraft in Shannon in September, and they will probably pick up the routes then. In the meantime its either fly to Manchester or London, or fly from cork or Dublin.

    Very disappointing.
    And probably screw another deal out of SNN. Why is this all too familier.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Shannon Airport is the best airport in Ireland. It has to gain the UK routes back. Shannon is a lovely airport


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    Shannon Airport is the best airport in Ireland. It has to gain the UK routes back. Shannon is a lovely airport

    Hopefully. Pending Ryanairs decision on the MAN route, and to see if they will introduce a UK route or Two.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,785 ✭✭✭✭Jamie2k9


    Shannon Airport is the best airport in Ireland. It has to gain the UK routes back. Shannon is a lovely airport

    Why so?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Hopefully. Pending Ryanairs decision on the MAN route, and to see if they will introduce a UK route or Two.







    It says on the wiki page for the airport that both the Kuanas and Manchester routes will end from 24th October. Is there any truth in this?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Jamie2k9 wrote: »
    Why so?




    Why wouldnt it be? It had the worlds first Duty Free and it a way more important than Dublin and it is very easy to get through. I only hope passengers will go up as high as they were a few years ago.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,471 ✭✭✭highlydebased


    It says on the wiki page for the airport that both the Kuanas and Manchester routes will end from 24th October. Is there any truth in this?

    No. That's just going whats bookable so far. If that were to be taken as gospel then they'd be dropping about half their route network :rolleyes: :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    No. That's just going whats bookable so far. If that were to be taken as gospel then they'd be dropping about half their route network :rolleyes: :pac:





    I am so relived at that. I want Shannon to reach numbers reached a few years ago again.


  • Registered Users Posts: 520 ✭✭✭knockon


    Stobart Air (Aer Lingus Regional) are to resume services again from Shannon to Birmingham.

    Welcome back Stobart Air....



    http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/15-03-24/Shannon_Airport_welcomes_Stobart_return_on_Birmingham_route.aspx


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 4,201 Mod ✭✭✭✭Locker10a


    knockon wrote: »
    Stobart Air (Aer Lingus Regional) are to resume services again from Shannon to Birmingham.

    Welcome back Stobart Air....



    http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/15-03-24/Shannon_Airport_welcomes_Stobart_return_on_Birmingham_route.aspx


    I think someone needs to tell Shannon airport that the flights are branded Aer Lingus regional, that article mentioned Stobart Air about 20 times, which is useless as passengers can't book with them. What is the point in releasing public articles on route development if not to increase forward bookings, and advertise?!? Yet they don't mention the name of the airline where you book the seats


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,077 ✭✭✭questionmark?


    knockon wrote: »
    Stobart Air (Aer Lingus Regional) are to resume services again from Shannon to Birmingham.

    Welcome back Stobart Air....



    http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/15-03-24/Shannon_Airport_welcomes_Stobart_return_on_Birmingham_route.aspx


    And yet the whole operation from Shannon was said to be losing them money just a short time ago!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,370 ✭✭✭b757


    And yet the whole operation from Shannon was said to be losing them money just a short time ago!

    Not losing money, just that they could have making more money somewhere else.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    Locker10a wrote: »
    I think someone needs to tell Shannon airport that the flights are branded Aer Lingus regional, that article mentioned Stobart Air about 20 times, which is useless as passengers can't book with them. What is the point in releasing public articles on route development if not to increase forward bookings, and advertise?!? Yet they don't mention the name of the airline where you book the seats





    Shannon Airport already knows the airlines is branded Aer Lingus Regional.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    knockon wrote: »
    Stobart Air (Aer Lingus Regional) are to resume services again from Shannon to Birmingham.

    Welcome back Stobart Air....



    http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/about-us/latest-news/latest-news/15-03-24/Shannon_Airport_welcomes_Stobart_return_on_Birmingham_route.aspx





    I always knew they would come back. It proves Shannon are the best airport and unpossible to leave. I am happy they have came back fair play to them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    It proves Shannon are the best airport and unpossible to leave.

    No, it really, really doesn't.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 320 ✭✭stevielenihan


    L1011 wrote: »
    No, it really, really doesn't.






    Have your opinion but Shannon is the best airport in Ireland and it was the site of the worlds first duty free. Dublin may be busier but it will never have the history that Shannon has.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,971 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    Have your opinion but Shannon is the best airport in Ireland and it was the site of the worlds first duty free. Dublin may be busier but it will never have the history that Shannon has.

    This your opinion. Doesn't make it right or wrong, just makes it yours.
    However claiming that having had the worlds 1st D/F shop is a little irrelevant. This doesn't make an airport "the best"
    And please note that both airports are operating about the same number of years as each other. Both have significant history of their own.

    SNN: In 1936, the Government of Ireland confirmed that it would develop a 3.1 km2 (1.2 sq mi) site at Rineanna for the country's first transatlantic airport. The land on which the airport was to be built was boggy, and on 8 October 1936 work began to drain the land. By 1942 a serviceable airport had been established and was named Shannon Airport. .....

    DUB: In 1936 ...... A decision was made that a civil airport should replace Baldonnel as the city's airport. The townlands of Collinstown, Rock and Corballis in the Barony of Coolock were selected as the location for the new civil aerodrome.......Construction of the new airport began in 1937. By the end of 1939 a grass airfield surface, internal roads, car parks and electrical power and lighting were set up. The inaugural flight from Dublin took place on 19 January 1940 to Liverpool.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Have your opinion but Shannon is the best airport in Ireland and it was the site of the worlds first duty free. Dublin may be busier but it will never have the history that Shannon has.

    Having the first of something doesn't make it "the best".

    Your opinion is that it is, but you haven't backed it up with anything beyond a statement saying that an airline belatedly returning one of its mulitple routes it pulled shows it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭GCU Flexible Demeanour


    Actually, Baldonnel is the best trans-Atlantic airport in Ireland. In fact, it's the best in Europe.
    http://source.southdublinlibraries.ie/bitstream/10599/6505/3/Bremen.pdf

    The Flight of the Bremen

    The first East- West non-stop trans Atlantic flight took off from the Air Corps Base at Baldonnel and landed at Greenly Island, Labrador in April 1928. Capt. James Fitzmaurice of Rathcoole was one of the three man crew. This was a major world event It grabbed headlines in all the major newspapers both sides of the Atlantic. The event particularly captured the imagination of the American public. There was a carnival atmosphere and cities came to a standstill as people danced in the streets on hearing of the safe landing of the Bremen. Thousands of people greeted the Bremen flyers on their eventual arrival in New York and they were awarded the US Distinguished Flying Cross award by President Calvin Coolidge at the White House.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    Actually, Baldonnel is the best trans-Atlantic airport in Ireland. In fact, it's the best in Europe.

    Fine, you go get your Aer Lingus flight to JFK from Baldonnel, I'll be in Shannon.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭GCU Flexible Demeanour


    Dublin may be busier but it will never have the history that Shannon has.
    You mean the history of obstructing people from flying into Ireland? No, Dublin certainly doesn't have that history.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    You mean the history of obstructing people from flying into Ireland? No, Dublin certainly doesn't have that history.

    What about the history of Dublin stopping nearly all investment in the Mid-West?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭GCU Flexible Demeanour


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    What about the history of Dublin stopping nearly all investment in the Mid-West?
    The difference between that and most myths is that most myths have at least a germ of truth to them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    The difference between that and most myths is that most myths have at least a germ of truth to them.

    My god you are cocky.

    Go research.

    You'd be happy if Dublin was separated into another country wouldn't you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭GCU Flexible Demeanour


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Go research.
    I have; it's the Shannon crowd who haven't a clue about their own history, beyond the kind of stuff you might see in Ireland's Own.
    Carnacalla wrote: »
    You'd be happy if Dublin was separated into another country wouldn't you?
    Depends on the country. Canada would be nice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    What about the history of Dublin stopping nearly all investment in the Mid-West?

    What history?

    Local press 'stories' and political rhetoric do not equal facts.

    The SNN interests did, however, prevent Dublin getting an appropriate length runway when 10/28 was being planned.


  • Site Banned Posts: 638 ✭✭✭imurdaddy


    L1011 wrote: »
    What history?

    Local press 'stories' and political rhetoric do not equal facts.

    The SNN interests did, however, prevent Dublin getting an appropriate length runway when 10/28 was being planned.

    So any facts or politics that dont suit you are nonsense? There's more to the country than just your bubble! Also why should all investment in the country be for dublin? Would it not be a better idea to grow a even spread across the island? ...........oh but it wouldn't suit your agenda so to hell with the rest! Or should I say west!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    imurdaddy wrote: »
    So any facts or politics that dont suit you are nonsense? There's more to the country than just your bubble! Also why should all investment in the country be for dublin? Would it not be a better idea to grow a even spread across the island? ...........oh but it wouldn't suit your agenda so to hell with the rest! Or should I say west!

    What facts?

    Again, rhetoric isn't facts - and your post is just that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,577 ✭✭✭lord lucan


    Actually, Baldonnel is the best trans-Atlantic airport in Ireland. In fact, it's the best in Europe.

    Cut it out, you've been given a warning for trolling, any more off topic nonsense to get a rise out of people will get a ban.


  • Site Banned Posts: 638 ✭✭✭imurdaddy


    L1011 wrote: »
    What facts?

    Again, rhetoric isn't facts - and your post is just that.

    Ha your shoud read your own! This thread is about shannon, but you are miffed by the fact local politicians people and lobby groups have a vested interest in the airports and region! You are the one spouting rhetoric and false shock at the fact local groups support whats best for this region!

    Why would politicians and lobby groups for the midwest region give there backing to something that would damage the midwest?

    The support by the midwestern region seems to upset you! You hardly expect everyone west of the shannon to be happy with a return to centralization!

    Rhetoric = anything you dont agree with or doesn't benefit you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    imurdaddy wrote: »
    Ha your shoud read your own! This thread is about shannon, but you are miffed by the fact local politicians people and lobby groups have a vested interest in the airports and region! You are the one spouting rhetoric and false shock at the fact local groups support whats best for this region!

    Why would politicians and lobby groups for the midwest region give there backing to something that would damage the midwest?

    The support by the midwestern region seems to upset you! You hardly expect everyone west of the shannon to be happy with a return to centralization!

    Rhetoric = anything you dont agree with or doesn't benefit you.

    So - no facts then.


  • Site Banned Posts: 638 ✭✭✭imurdaddy


    L1011 wrote: »
    So - no facts then.

    You are the one claiming to have facts! Where did I say I had any facts?

    I outlined a few reasons why SNN would be supported, made a reasonable statement and a childish answer is all you can manage! From a poster demanding facts! Speaks volumes about the type of facts you deal in. It's clear you just have a chip on your shoulder about shannon., so wrong thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    SNN-BHX now bookable. Times are as follows:

    BHX-SNN 16:55-18:35
    SNN-BHX 19:00-20:35

    Fares start from €29.99 one way or €90.98 return. Flights start 15th of June.

    Amazingly enough, you still get the option to connect In Shannon with the Transatlantic flights when flying from BOS/JFK. I cannot imagine anyone would want a 13 hour stopover.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    imurdaddy wrote: »
    You are the one claiming to have facts! Where did I say I had any facts?


    I outlined a few reasons why SNN would be supported, made a reasonable statement and a childish answer is all you can manage! From a poster demanding facts! Speaks volumes about the type of facts you deal in. It's clear you just have a chip on your should about shannon., so wrong thread.

    What reasons? You've made [very standard] impassioned statements about "the west" but given no actual reasons.

    The Greater Dublin Area gets less state investment than its size and economic activity justify - as it has to support the entire rest of the country by social transfers. "The West" gets more investment than its size and economic activity justify as well as severe encouragement for private investment via the IDA and other state agencies. Trying to compare a suitable amount of investment for a small, rural area to a suitable amount of investment for a large, urban area in direct Euro-to-Euro terms is deceptive but it is the stock and trade of rural media and politicians.

    SNN has received undue support from the state over the years, including deliberately crippingly DUB in runway length and a massive writeoff of debt accumulated over the years where it was not running viable.

    You also don't understand what rhetoric is.

    I don't even know that you've actually read my posts - if you can show me where I've shown "false shock", for starters... You appear to be shadow-boxing arguments that weren't actually made, by anyone.


  • Site Banned Posts: 638 ✭✭✭imurdaddy


    L1011 wrote: »
    What reasons? You've made [very standard] impassioned statements about "the west" but given no actual reasons.

    The Greater Dublin Area gets less state investment than its size and economic activity justify - as it has to support the entire rest of the country by social transfers. "The West" gets more investment than its size and economic activity justify as well as severe encouragement for private investment.

    SNN has received undue support from the state over the years, including deliberately crippingly DUB in runway length and a massive writeoff of debt accumulated over the years where it was not running viable.

    You also don't understand what rhetoric is.

    So im right a chip on the shoulder! But not only for SNN but indeed ever place bar Dublin!
    I fully understand rhetoric, I was simply outlining your version. What you have posted above is pure bs as you know its not that clear cut on any of the points you made but sure you just ignored the "facts" you dont like, such as ARI been taken, the debit ran up by DAA oh and DAA is not funded from tax take.to name a few, But dont let the truth get in the way.

    Anyway im done, you have an agenda against SNN and elsewhere so ill leave you to it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    imurdaddy wrote: »
    So im right a chip on the shoulder! But not only for SNN but indeed ever place bar Dublin!
    I fully understand rhetoric, I was simply outlining your version. What you have posted above is pure bs as you know its not that clear cut on any of the points you made but sure you just ignored the "facts" you dont like, such as ARI been taken, the debit ran up by DAA oh and DAA is not funded from tax take.to name a few, But dont let the truth get in the way.

    Anyway im done, you have an agenda against SNN and elsewhere so ill leave you to it

    ARI was not "taken", as it was part of Aer Rianta not the airport. The DAA, despite the name, is Aer Rianta, albeit now minus one airport.

    The debt was run up developing SNN, and should have stayed with the airport.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    They really developed it from 3.6million to 1.4million didn't they?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    They really developed it from 3.6million to 1.4million didn't they?

    Physical development. The terminal (and the CBP facility) didn't land from the sky one day.

    The world is not out to get Shannon, or the west. However, the media there seem to think it is.

    SNN has received very significant state support for nearly 80 years.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,112 ✭✭✭notharrypotter


    L1011 wrote: »

    SNN has received very significant state support for nearly 80 years.

    Care to substantiate this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    And Dublin hasn't? Shannon's passenger numbers were reduced to hardly anything. This is because of the DAA, no one else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Care to substantiate this?

    Airport constructed, free zone established around it to try provide it with native traffic

    Shannon stop-over retained for decades when not actually required anymore, due to modern airliners. Further retained in a watered-down manner when it became obvious that none of the airlines had any desire to keep it.

    Absolutely massive debt write off.
    Carnacalla wrote: »
    And Dublin hasn't? Shannon's passenger numbers were reduced to hardly anything. This is because of the DAA, no one else.

    What Dublin has or hasn't had is irrelevant - there aren't people screeching about it not being supported. Distraction tactic.

    The DAA did not end the stopover, which had the largest impact of anything. The DAA did not collapse the economy or hike oil prices, causing massive drops in demand and massive increases in costs for airlines. The DAA did not build a motorway to Limerick and a motorway to Galway (and a bypass of Limerick), allowing cheap and frequent / all night buses to DUB.

    What do you think the DAA did that caused this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    €100m is not massive in the grand scheme of things. The DAA's stangle hold on Shannon probably caused this debt anyway, so I don't see why it shouldn't be retained.

    Shannon Development is a new debt free entity that will pay dividends to the government on what profits they make, and they will make them.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    The DAA's stangle hold on Shannon probably caused this debt anyway, so I don't see why it shouldn't be retained.

    Again - how?

    Beyond whataboutery and supposition, what are you going to suggest that the DAA "did" to Shannon to cause the debt? Other than allow a new terminal to be built, without which they'd currently be unable to attract more than the cheapest of LCCs and have no full CBP (likely meaning no TATL at all).

    If the airport returns a dividend to the state within 5 years I'd be amazed - if it repays its debt writeoff within two decades (not even accounting for inflation or notional interest) I'd be astounded.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    L1011 wrote: »
    What do you think the DAA did that caused this?

    I cannot tell you the exact details, I do not have special information that no-one else can obtain, but its pretty obvious the DAA certainly didn't do anything to help Shannon. Passenger numbers just don't fall by that much due to the loss of the odd Transatlantic flight and an economic recession. The DAA appeared to be dis-intrested in the airport. They put no Investment into it in the latter years.

    Last year, Shannon completely revamped the Duty free. They are also spending a further €1.6million this year. The reason they are doing this is because it was neglected by the DAA and is making a profit, something that the DAA couldn't do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,281 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    L1011 wrote: »
    have no full CBP (likely meaning no TATL at all).

    Really? The CBP was not just the DAA being nice. It was as part of ending the stopover. CBP also doesn't make the difference between 6 TATL flights a day (In summer season) and 0 flights a day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 70,172 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    I'm unsure of the exact details, but its pretty obvious the DAA certainly didn't do anything to help Shannon. Passenger numbers just don't fall by that much due to the loss of the odd Transatlantic flight and an economic recession. The DAA appeared to be dis-intrested in the airport. They put no Investment into it in the latter years.

    There are no "exact details" because, outside the minds of a few local journos and politicians, it didn't happen. Just because an airport authority has multiple airports doesn't mean it can force traffic to move from one to another and its not like DUB and ORK (and every other airport in Europe, basically) didn't lose large volumes of traffic over the years.

    The airport had a completely new terminal in 2000 and a significant extension in 2008. How tight do you want to go with "latter years"?
    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Last year, Shannon completely revamped the Duty free. They are also spending a further €1.6million this year. The reason they are doing this is because it was neglected by the DAA and is making a profit, something that the DAA couldn't do.

    The duty free was rebuilt in 2008. How do you know what profit it was or wasn't making prior to the separation?

    Considering the DAA operate duty frees under contract for airports all over the world, I'd say that they had a better chance of making a profit from there than not.
    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Really? The CBP was not just the DAA being nice. It was as part of ending the stopover. CBP also doesn't make the difference between 6 TATL flights a day (In summer season) and 0 flights a day.

    It being built was down to the DAA investing in both their airports with transatlantic flights and not due to the end of the stopover. Any logical development due to the end of the stopover would have been to build one in DUB solely - not in SNN first, as actually happened.

    Without CBP there would be zero TATL flights a day, pure and simple. The drive to DUB would be less than the time wasted at immigration at the far end in many cases, particularly all summer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,112 ✭✭✭notharrypotter


    have no full CBP (likely meaning no TATL at all

    They have CBP and strangely they had it before Dublin.
    Airport constructed, free zone established around it to try provide it with native traffic

    Nope.

    Airport was developed (same as Gander and Prestwick) because of the lack of intercontinental capability.

    The free zone came later to take advantage of the pre existing airport.
    The airport had a completely new terminal in 2000 and a significant extension in 2008

    Care to elaborate I know that the terminal was rebuilt in the last decade or so but what was the other development in 2008?
    Shannon stop-over retained for decades when not actually required anymore, due to modern airliners. Further retained in a watered-down manner when it became obvious that none of the airlines had any desire to keep it.

    The B720 that Aer Lingus got initially was a Trans Continental aircraft and had range issues.

    The B747 started in 1971 at this stage it probably would have been incumbent on the Government to review things which they did.
    In 1971, the US Civil Aeronautics Board announced that unless US planes were allowed to operate into Dublin Airport they proposed to ban Aer Lingus from landing in New York. Eventually an agreement was reached which allowed one US carrier, TWA, to service Dublin Airport through Shannon.

    You are looking at a different Ireland with different strategic views from a comfortable middle class 2015 perspective.
    On 2 October 1995, the Boeing 747 service ceased operations after twenty-five years of service. By that time, over eight million people had travelled across the Atlantic in Aer Lingus Boeing 747s

    That is an average of 320,000 trans Atlantic passengers per year.
    There was no massive "pent up" demand for trans Atlantic services during this time.

    From 1990's things moved on again.

    This was when the stopover was "adjusted".

    More suitable aircraft in terms of size (A330 330 passengers vs B747 400), crew numbers (2 person cockpit and less cabin staff) and economics (lower fuel burn) came on stream.

    At this stage the end was in sight for the stopover.

    Also the concentration of services by Aer lingus on the trans Atlantic routes is a more recent development.

    At one stage its "vision" turned east.

    The strategic priorities of the Government too change and currently "market forces" are god but that will change again.


    So
    • There was a sound reason to build Shannon airport where it is as oppose to the curraghline
    • Ireland Inc did things on the cheap and baught the wrong aircraft B72 vs B707
    • The first proper aircraft did not arrive till 1971 (B747)
    • No massive demand for trans Atlantic services from Irelanf over a 25 year period
    • Stopover retained beyond its useful life


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