United Airlines has announced that it will launch a new transatlantic route from Shannon Airport in the west of Ireland to Chicago,next summer.
The new route will be in addition to the hugely successful daily service to Newark which United operate on a year round basis at Shannon.
This Chicago service will generate an additional 20,000 passengers through the airport next year and provide a welcome boost for the west of Ireland in terms of business connections to the third largest city in the US, with almost three million people. It is also a significant opportunity to increase visitor numbers into the west of Ireland from this strong market for the Irish tourism product.
Welcoming the news, Mary Considine, Airport Director, said, “This is a significant boost for Shannon Airport and we are delighted to have this new service on the transatlantic market. In this challenging business environment United Airlines’ decision shows the continued appeal of Shannon and the West of Ireland product, be that tourism or business.
“United Airlines has been a strong performer at Shannon since it commenced services here in 1998. It has successfully built a year-round customer base in the West of Ireland in the business and leisure sectors. This announcement is proof that United Airlines see further opportunities for growth at Shannon and we look forward to working closely with them on delivering those extra passengers.
“The announcement is also timely in the context of the Gathering next year. There are ambitious targets for strengthening visitor numbers next year and this new Chicago service will help in that regard.”
The new flights to Chicago will operate five times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, commencing on 6th June and operating until 28th August, departing Shannon at 11.00am. All United Airlines flights will use Shannon Airport’s unique US Preclearance facility, thus ensuring speedy access on arrival in the US for all passengers and those making connecting flights beyond Chicago.
United Airlines (formerly Continental), which has been operating at Shannon since 1998, has so far carried over 1.4 million passengers through the airport and is set to exceed the 1.5 million mark by the end of 2013. The Chicago route was a regular service at Shannon since 1996 and was last operated in 2009 when Aer Lingus ceased its service.
However, there has been traditional strong demand for services to the “Windy City” with over 110,000 passengers travelling in 2007 when the route was then served by both American Airlines and Aer Lingus with 14 flights a week.
Declan Power, Aviation Business Development, said he was delighted with the success that this new service brings for Shannon. “We have been working hard over the last few years to secure the return of the Chicago route and we very much appreciate all the hard work put into this by the International Planning team at United Airlines. We will be working closely with the Sales & Marketing team here in Ireland to ensure its success and that the route will grow further in both passengers and frequency over the coming years. In the meantime, we will continue to work on developing more routes for Shannon Airport and restoring growth and services for this vibrant region.”
For more information visit United.com.
3 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.seamus60 | Oct 08, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
Smyrnian. Typical attitude. Job creation through war is hardly anything to welcome. More so, a war that can never be justified or won.
Smyrnian | Oct 08, 2012, 05:21 AM EDT
More Bogsidebull. You have no clue. You don't even know what county Shannon Airport is in and you try to tell everyone else what to think. Pathetic moron. This is great for Shannon and the entire region. Welcome Americans, especially veterans.
bogsidebunny | Oct 08, 2012, 02:27 AM EDT
Hey all you Chicago UAL flyers, according to the Irish Times website, the Irish will even have a "friendly" welcoming committee waiting on the runway for you..... So vets and relatives 100,000 welcomes: "Two people have been arrested at Shannon airport during a protest against US drone strikes in Pakistan. Niall Farrell and Margaretta Darcy were detained after entering the Co Limerick airfield today. Shannon has been used as a transit route for the US war effort in Afghanistan. Dette McLoughlin, an organiser at the Galway Alliance Against War, said protesters waved placards opposing the American administration’s actions. It is understood disruption was minimal and the incident lasted around 10 to 15 minutes. “A lot of people are not aware that Ireland is an accessory to what is going on in this illegal war,” she said. We have been not just accommodating but participating in it.” A Garda spokesman said two people were arrested then released without charge. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.