Ryanair discusses it's future at Shannon

It is five years since Ryanair signed it's current base agreement with Shannon Airport. Under the terms of the agreement which runs out in April 2010 the airline has invested $400m in based aircraft and grown it's passenger numbers at the airport from 300,000 in 2004 to 1.9m in 2008.
Ryanair has said that since the Irish Government introduced it's €10 travel tax on April 1st last passenger number have declined at Shannon. Last winter the airline based 6 aircraft at the airport, reducing that strength to four during summer 2009 and proposes just three based frames this coming winter.
Ryanair has on numerous occasions in the past four years stated that it's Shannon operation has lost money in each of the five years of the current agreement.
In spite of these losses, Ryanair has written to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) confirming that if the government drops the travel tax by February 1st next and if the SAA extends the airline's cost base for a further five years then Ryanair will "commit to delivering more than 1.2m passengers annually, on up to four based aircraft".
If both conditions are not met, Ryanair has promised to reduce it's base strength to one aircraft operating the London and some UK provincial routes and delivering just 300,000 passengers.
Shannon faces into the coming winter with a bleak future and a large drop in revenue on the horizon. Delta Airlines and US Airways terminated their transatlantic services in recent weeks. Cityjet is terminating it's Paris route this weekend and Aer Lingus is as good as terminating it's transatlantic services from next spring. On top of that the €20m preclearance facility is rapidly turning into a white elephant - Aer Lingus has refused to use it and USCBP won't increase the manning levels to give 24-7 operations since the passenger numbers aren't there to justify it. With a handling fee of just €10.50 per passenger cleared, a significant throughput is required to make the facility pay for itself.

Sky Handling Partner to lay off 26 at Shannon

Sky Handling Partner which employs 350 at Shannon and Dublin airports announced today that it was making 26 of it's Shannon staff redundant. The announcement is further bad news for the town in a week when Aer Lingus announced 102 redundancies, Technotree announced 80 and GE money announced 50 job losses.

Cattle airlift from Shannon to Albania

The Wexford branch of Irish Charity Bothar, meaning road are organising an airlift of 70 in calf livestock from Shannon to Albania on October 15 next. Over the past 15 years, the Wexford branch of Bothar has sent a total of 1,500 cattle to needy communities around the world. Earlier this year in February, the Tipperary branch of Bothar shipped 210 cattle in three shipments to Kosovo. Transport for that airlift was provided by Air Charter Express of Ghana using Dc8 aircraft.

G-EUNA inaugurates BAW 1 from LCY to JFK

Flight BAW 001, operated by G-EUNA on finals to Shannon's R24 this lunchtime

It is six years since the 'Speedbird 1' call sign was retired with the last Concorde operations, but today it was brought back to life when British Airway's new premium only London City to JFK service took to the air. Flight BAW 1 departed London's dockland at 11.50 utc and just over one hour later it touched down on Shannon's R24 at 12.54 utc. Taxiing to it's stand the flight was greeted by the Shannon Airport Fire & Rescue Service who provided the traditional water cannon salute. 
British Airways Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh predicted that the service will be profitable within it's first year of operation and was among the passengers on the first flight commanded by Capt. Dave Thomas.

G-EUNA receives the water cannon on the Shannon ramp, copyright picture by Malcolm Nason

The new service is to be operated by two specially configured A318-112 aircraft, the first of which registered G-EUNA was delivered to the airline on August 28 last. In the interim the aircraft has been used for crew training purposes at London City Airport. The eventual pilot pool strength will reach sixty pilots once the second aircraft is delivered. Until the second aircraft is delivered the flight schedule will operate on a daily return basis, except Saturday when LCY Airport is closed. From mid October the schedule increases to two return flights per day, except Saturday. Flight BAW 1 departs LCY at 12.50 with BAW 2 departing JFK at 6.30 pm. Flight BAW 3 will depart LCY at 4.00 pm with the return departing JFK at 9.50 pm, all times local. Since the aircraft have been equipped as the 'airborne office' the service is being targeted at the frequent City business traveler who needs to be constantly contactable.

The A318 aircraft are configured with 32 lie flat seats

The short runway length at LCY prevents the A318 from uploading the full fuel load required to make LCY-JFK in one leg. As a result the flight has to make a fuel stop at Shannon on the westbound leg only. Whilst laying over at Shannon for the 45 minute stop the passengers clear full US Immigration, Customs and Border Protection so that they land in the US as domestic passengers, thus avoiding the lengthy queues in JFK. 
The Shannon stopover is also being used by BA to 'slip' a crew. The airline's flight crew are based at London's Gatwick Airport where their working day begins. To avoid the possibility of a crew being out of hours by the time they reach JFK due to en route delays at LCY or SNN the airline is 'slipping' a crew at Shannon.
In June, Lufthansa Technik subsidiary Shannon Aerospace announced that it would be providing line maintenance for the BA service at Shannon.

Aer Lingus and CBP

The refusal of Aer Lingus to use the US Customs and Border Protection facility for full clearance of US bound flights was the subject of a recent question in Dail Eireann (Parliamant) by Fine Gael TD for Clare and Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Pat Breen. 
In response to the question, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, TD, said given the very significant investment in the Shannon facility he hoped that as many airlines as possible would avail of the service. The Minister said that he "understood that Aer Lingus would face severe logistical difficulties in US airports in a situation where their ex-Shannon flights would be pre cleared and their ex-Dublin flights would not. Pre clearance will not be available at Dublin Airport  until Terminal Two is operational in 2010. Accordingly I understand that the airline has taken a decision to postpone using pre clearance for their US bound flights until the service is available in both Dublin and Shannon." The Minister added that the responsibility for marketing the USCBP service at Shannon rests with the Shannon Airport Authority. 
The fact that duty free sales are prohibited on pre-cleared aircraft will no doubt have played a role in the Aer Lingus decision.

Mayor of Shannon calls on Delta to reconsider

The Mayor of Shannon, Sean McLoughlin has called on management at Delta Airlines to reconsider their decision to end the 13 year old link between Shannon and New York. Mayor McLaughlin said “The airline claimed that low yield factors had determined their decision to end the service. However, the service carried 30,000 passengers last winter alone. Furthermore, the number of persons using the service has dramatically increased in recent weeks. One flight this weekend, for example, was operating at full capacity. Much of these increases can be attributed to the introduction of pre-clearance facilities at Shannon and the airline’s decision to lower its fares.”

“Aer Lingus’s announcement that it will not be utilising the US pre-clearance facilities until mid-2010 at the earliest, along with the imminent withdrawal of Delta’s long standing service and ongoing doubts over the future of Aer Lingus’s Shannon to New York service have completely undermined efforts at Shannon Airport to develop new business. The opportunities presented to airlines by the presence of the pre-clearance facilities are numerous but appear to be having little impact on business growth at the airport at present”, commented the Mayor.

CityJet announce termination of Shannon - Paris route

It was almost inevitable when Aer Lingus announced that it it was reinstating the Shannon - Heathrow route that CityJet's days were numbered on the Shannon - Paris route. And today the inevitable happened when the Air France subsidiary announced that as and from October 24 it was terminating it's Shannon - Paris route.
CityJet were seen as the white knight who stepped in when Aer Lingus moved it's Shannon - Heathrow slots to Belfast. The business community on the western seaboard from Kerry to Mayo had lost the vital connectivity to a major European hub that it had enjoyed for 60 years with Aer Lingus. 
The business community grasped the life line with fervor and supported the route which was operated by Air France subsidiary Regional as CityJet did not have sufficient aircraft to allocate the necessary frames to the Shannon route. Anecdotal evidence showed that load factors were high on the Embraer 145 aircraft. 
It had always been the intention that the larger RJ85 aircraft would be used on the route which would also allow an earlier departure from Shannon by basing an aircraft at the Irish airport. 
As the Irish economy dipped into recession the pressure to generate profit on the route grew, exacerbated by the eventual allocation of RJ85 aircraft to the route. When Aer Lingus announced it's U turn on the Heathrow slot any bad will towards Aer Lingus rapidly receded when 'business as usual' was re-established.
CityJet to be fair have taken the view that they would have settled for a break even on the Paris route but load factors in recent times would appear to be well wide of the mark, languishing in the low to mid forties. Chief Executive of CityJet Geoffrey O'Byrne White said that "Unfortunately, the continuing economic downturn, which has hit the Mid West particularly hard in recent months, has led to a steep decline in the route's performance, and we cannot foresee passenger numbers and revenues reaching a break-even level."

C-GFUR diverts to Shannon on medical diversion

This morning's Air Canada flight ACA 858 from Toronto to London Heathrow diverted into Shannon on a medical diversion. the flight, operated by Airbus A330-343X registered C-GFUR landed on Shanon's R24 at 09:55 utc. The aircraft parked on stand 32 where it was met by paramedics. The flight departed Shannon again for Heathrow at 11:26 utc.

Continental's N76054 diverts to Shannon on medical emergency

Today's Continental Airlines flight COA 61 operated by B767-424ER registered N76054 routing Brussels to Newark diverted to Shannon after a male passenger became ill. The flight was west of Ireland when the crew declared emergency, electing to divert to Shannon. The aircraft landed on R24 at 11.51 utc with the Shanon Airport Fire and Rescue service in attendance. The aircraft departed again at approximately 14.20 utc. Pictured above N76054 is seen on finals to Shannon, making a low approach due to the high landing weight.

N754AN diverts to Shannon

This morning's American Airlines flight AAL 70 routing Dallas Fort Worth to Frankfurt diverted into Shannon in the early hours. The flight, operated by B777-200 N754AN arrived in Shannon at 03.38 utc and departed again for Frankfurt at 05.32 utc.

CBP facility opens at Shannon Airport

It was another milestone in the history of Shannon Airport today when full US Customs and Border Protection clearance was implemented. Passengers using the new facility will arrive in the US as domestic passengers and will not be required to undergo any further checks on arrival.

Shannon is the first airport in the world outside the US, Canada and Aruba to implement full CBP clearance.

Speaking at the start of the service today, Director of Shannon Airport Martin Moroney said that "this is an historic day for our airport and, indeed, a milestone moment in Irish - US relations".

As of today's introduction, commercial airlines will be able to avail of the service. The extension to GA and business jets will commence later in the year.

N778UA diverts to Shannon

Today's United Airlines flight UAL 967 from Rome Fiumicino to Washington Dulles diverted into Shannon. The flight, operated by B777-200 N778UA was approximately one hour west of Shannon when the crew elected to turn around and divert to Shannon due to a technical problem. The aircraft landed at 14:40 utc. After 3 1/2 hours on the ground the flight departed for London Heathrow at 18:11.

N741QS performs flapless landing at Shannon

Gulftsream 200 N741QS performed a flapless landing at Shannon this evening. The aircraft msn 212 was scheduled to arrive at the airport from Tel Aviv at 14.25 utc this afternoon but on hand over to Approach Control the crew discovered a hydraulics problem which prevented the flaps being extended. After holding for over an hour in an attempt to rectify the problem the crew elected for a flapless landing having burnt off sufficient fuel to attempt the maneuver which was well inside the aircraft's flight envelope and Shannon's runway length.

At 15.46 utc the aircraft landed on R24 with the Airport Fire and Rescue Service in attendance. The crew did not declare an emergency, probably unsure of the call out charge !

N741QS was delivered through Shannon, via Halifax to the Gulfstream Completion Center in Dallas on October 10 last year as N612GA. The aircraft had been back to the Israel Aerospace factory in TA for rectification of an engine problem and was scheduled to return to the US via Shannon.

The aircraft is in Net Jets Colours but is still registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest so it is possible that the aircraft has yet to be handed over.

Pictured above at top, N741QS touches down on R24 and at bottom is seen on the runway with the Fire and Rescue service vehicles waiting on Taxiway Alpha.

N811NW, PH-KCF in medical diversions

Today's Northwest Airlines flight NWA 811 operating from London Gatwick to Atlanta diverted to Shannon when a male passenger fell ill. The aircraft was west of Ireland when the aircraft turned back and landed on Shannon's R06 at 10.32 utc. Unfortunately the passenger was pronounced dead on arrival at the airport, having suffered a suspected heart attack. The body was taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick. The flight departed Shannon again at 12:42 utc.

N811NW was a recent visitor to Shannon prior to today's diversion. The aircraft performed a technical diversion on June 12 when smoke was noted in the cabin by a crew member.

At the same time as the Northwest Airlines flight was diverting to Shannon, flight KLM 758, routing from Panama City to Amsterdam was forced to divert to Cork, also with a medical emergency. The flight operated by MD11, registration PH-KCF landed a few moments after the NWA flight landed in Shannon. The passenger on the KLM flight who had also suffered a suspected heart attack was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital. Flight KLM 758 departed Cork again at 11.35 utc. Shannon is the preferred diversion airport for technical and medical emergencies but since Shannon was tied up with the NWA flight the KLM flight was directed to Cork.

Pictured above in the copyright picture by Paul Daly, PH-KCF is seen on departure from Cork at 11.35 utc

El Al's 4X-ELD diverts to Shannon with medical emergency

Today's El Al flight ELY 007 routing Tel Aviv to JFK turned back whilst west of Ireland and diverted to Shannon with a medical emergency, arriving at approximately 15.30 utc this afternoon. The aircraft was met on stand by an ambulance and departed later just before 17.00 utc.

G-FCLA diverts to Shannon on medical diversion

Today's Thomas Cook flight TCX680K routing Manchester to Funchal, Madeira diverted into Shannon on a medical emergency. The flight operated by B757-2Q8 registered G-FCLA arrived in Shannon at 10.40 utc and was met on stand by an ambulance. The aircraft departed Shannon again at 11.51 utc. Pictured above 'Kestrel 680K' clears R06 at 'Charlie'.

Minister Dempsey meets Homeland Secretary Napolitano on US CBP

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey met with the US Secretary for Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano to discuss the implementation of full US Customs and Border Patrol clearance. The legislation to implement the agreement from the Irish side is due to be debated in Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament) tomorrow, having already passed all stages in Seanad Eireann (the Irish Senate).

During the course of the discussion, Secretary Napolitano said that pre cleared aircraft would be allowed to land at domestic as well as international airports in the US. Secretary Nepolitano also confirmed that the US was committed to pre clearance at Shannon, irrespective of the expected downturn in winter traffic levels to the US from Shannon.

Minister Dempsey said that "Both the US and Irish governments are looking forward to the inauguration of this service, which will commence with commercial flights from Shannon on 29 July while pre clearance for general aviation is scheduled to begin there in the autumn. Both the secretary and I agree that pre clearance will bring great benefits to both our countries."

Department of Transport officials are scheduled to travel to Washington in the coming days to finalise the details on the implementation of the agreement.

BA commence selling LCY-NYC

British Airways today started selling tickets for it's new premium service which will serve London City Airport and New York JFK. The first flight will take to the air on September 29 with a daily return except Saturday when LCY is closed. The service will increase to two flights per day from mid October. All flights will be operated by A318 in a 32 seat lie flat layout.

Weekend leisure fares start from £1901.10 and business fares start at £4,912.10 rising to £5,625.10 for fully flexible.

BAW 001 will depart LCY at 12.40 and arrive at JFK at 17.05 with a westbound fuel stop allowing passengers to avail of the new full US CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) clearance at Shannon.

The return, BAW 002 departs JFK at 18.30 and arrives in LCY at 07.05 the next morning, flying non stop.

BAW 003 will depart LCY at 16.00 and arrives in JFK at 20.25, again stopping at Shannon. BAW 004 will depart JFK 21.50 and flies non stop to LCY arriving at 10.25 the following morning.

Shannon arrival times will be approximately 1 hour after departure from London.

Commenting on the new service, BA's chief executive Willie Walsh said that "In the harshest trading environment airlines have experienced, we believe that it is more important than ever to embrace the future and innovate. That is what this historic new route is all about. Reviving the BA001 flight number for the first long haul route out of London City could not be more appropriate."

SAA to pursue Ryanair for €2m compemsation

The Irish Times reports that the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is to pursue Ryanair for €2m in compensation for breaching the terms of a five year deal which is due to expire at the end of April next year. Under the terms of the agreement which is tied into the number passengers delivered by Ryanair, the airline is understood to pay between €1 and €2 per passenger in handling fees as against the airport's published fee of €4.

Last year Ryanair carried almost 1.2m passengers through Shannon but expects to carry only 800,000 this year which is well short of the 1.9m target for the final of the five years covered by the incentive deal. If the airline falls short of it's target it is required to pay the full fee on the difference.

Last week Ryanair announced that it was reducing it's base strength at Shannon this winter from 4 to 3 aircraft and making 50 staff redundant in the process. The airline blames the €10 travel tax implemented in last October's budget for causing the reduction in passenger numbers and thereby voiding the agreement.

Ryanair are understood to have made a proposal to the SAA for a new deal once the current agreement runs out at the end of April next year but has warned that the future of the Shannon base is in doubt if there is any increase in costs.

N811NW diverts to Shannon

Today's Northwest Airlines flight NWA 821 operating between Rome Fiumicino and Atlanta diverted into Shannon at lunchtime today after a crew member noted smoke in the passenger cabin. The flight operated by Airbus A330-323X, msn 0690, and registered N811NW was off the southwest coast when it declared emergency and diverted to Shannon, landing on R06 at 12.25 utc. The aircraft with 285 passengers and crew was followed down the runway by the Shannon Airport Fire and Rescue Service. The crew reported high temperature readings from the number 6 brake which was reading in excess of 600 degrees and smoking several minutes after parking on stand. The aircraft was eventually given the all clear and departed Shannon for Atlanta at 17.00 utc. Pictured above, N811NW is seen departing R06 at Taxiway Charlie.