*Director of Commercial with Ryanair, Jason McGuinness with Shannon Airport Group, CEO Mary Considine. Photograph: Eamon Ward
RYANAIR have announced two new routes from Shannon Airport and the addition of another aircraft.
Béziers in the south of France and Newcastle in the UK have been added to Ryanair’s summer schedule at Shannon Airport. The airline is also to situate a third aircraft at Shannon, creating an additional 30 direct jobs.
Bézier’s Shannon service commenced on March 27th 2023, it will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Saturdays. The Newcastle service is to run three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday) from March 26th 2023.
It means Ryanair will operate 24 routes and over 180 weekly flights at Shannon Airport next summer, a 60 percent increase on pre-pandemic levels. This builds on Shannon’s biggest ever Ryanair winter schedule which currently operates 60 flights per week, a 66 percent different to pre-pandemic levels.
Jason McGuinness, Director of Ryanair Commercial said the airline will now be operating flights to a record number of European destinations from Shannon with over 180 weekly flights to 24 routes. The summer schedule represents a $300m investment in Shannon, he said at a press conference in the viewing gallery of Shannon Airport on Thursday morning.
He detailed that this would support 880 total jobs including 300 directly comprised of 200 in the hangar facility and 90 plus in pilots and cabin crew. “Efficient operations and competitive airport charges provide the foundation from which Ryanair can deliver long-term traffic growth and increased connectivity. We have worked directly with our partners in Shannon Airport to agree terms which will deliver growth and investment at the Airport, including a new €10 million maintenance facility, and improved services for those that live, work, or wish to visit the mid-west region of Ireland”.
CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine maintained it was a very encouraging day for Shannon Airport and the Mid-West region while also offering another “vote of confidence”. “We know our customers will be excited by these two new destinations. Days like today, when an airline announces new services, are always very encouraging not only for the general public, but for those at the coalface of the tourism industry here and right along the Wild Atlantic Way, who rely on our air services to bring international visitors to their doors”.
She stated, “Aviation plays a critical role in our economy and serves as a driving force for tourism and business. The results from today’s announcement will provide further connectivity for Shannon and the region and highlights the considerable strides Shannon has made since the pandemic”.
In July, Ryanair celebrated 35 years of flying from Shannon Airport, during this period it has carried over 18 million passengers from the International Airport.
