Presently, all Aer Lingus passengers travelling between Chicago and Shannon must disembark at Dublin Airport.
Speaking from Chicago, the Mayor said, “I welcome the announcement by Aer Lingus that it intends to continue services between Shannon and the United States. Considering that it has secured support from local tourism groups, additional flexibility from staff and lower landing charges at Shannon Airport, I would urge the airline to now review its decision to axe the direct service between Shannon and Chicago.”
“Quite simply, if Shannon is to remain as the ‘gateway’ to the West of Ireland for North American traffic then it must be put in a position where it can benefit from direct services”, stated the Mayor.
She continued, “Among the concerns raised with me by members of the Clareman’s Association in Chicago, for example, was that the elderly and those with young children are having to board at Shannon Airport and then disembark at Dublin to pass through US Immigration. While prolonging an already lengthy journey, this practice is extremely inconvenient and unnecessary considering Shannon also has a US immigration clearance facility.”
Mayor McCarthy said that Aer Lingus’s reintroduction of direct services between Shannon and O’Hare Airport would have positive consequences for the local economy in the West of Ireland.
"Business interests in the US Midwest have for many years invested in the West of Ireland due to the provision of direct flights to the region. Likewise, US tourists have long travelled to the region because of available direct flights. If such services are not made available then I fear that the region's economy will suffer immensely with the potential loss of millions of euro and hundreds of jobs”, concluded Mayor McCarthy.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patricia McCarthy (087-4187132)
Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
