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Passengers increase at Shannon Airport Shannon Airport
has recorded total passenger figures of 3.62 million for 2007.
International traffic was up by 6 per cent which the airport authorities
say is a considerable achievement given the effects of the open skies
policy.
The scheme will eventually end Shannon’s dual gateway status on
transatlantic flights.
The rise in passenger figures was helped by a 10 per cent increase in
short-haul traffic into the airport, mainly from British and European
destinations.
Martin Moroney, Shannon Airport director, said they were pleased with
the performance on passenger numbers given the increasingly competitive
environment in which the airport operates.
The beginning of the open skies policy in November 2006 meant that the
numbers of US passengers transiting Shannon between Dublin and the US
declined by 50 per cent.
But, he said that overall transatlantic traffic was only slightly affected
by the effects of the policy and the reduction in that traffic was limited
to just 4 per cent.
He said that both the open skies agreement and the unexpected decision
by Aer Lingus to discontinue its London-Heathrow service were major blows
to Shannon’s future growth plans but he said the airport has responded
vigorously to these challenges.
The director said they had managed to curtail the potential losses on
transatlantic traffic and have received commitments from US carriers for
a continuation of their services.
Mr Moroney said they are also confident that Aer Lingus will have
a successful future in Shannon on transatlantic routes.
Drug seizure
French customs officials have arrested a man after cocaine and heroin
valued at ?3.5million were found on an Irish-registered truck entering
the Channel Tunnel.
French Budget Minister Eric Woerth said 104 kilos of drugs were recovered
on Monday when the truck, which was carrying pork from Germany, was stopped
as it was about to board a train at Calais.
The drugs were found hidden in vacuum-packed bags hidden underneath the
cargo.
An English man aged 54 was arrested and is being held for questioning.
Death anniversary
The fourth anniversary Mass took place this week of a builder killed while
working on the new Wembley stadium site. Family and friends gathered at
Our Lady and St. Josephs Church in Hanwell to mark the anniversary of
Cork-native Patrick O’Sullivan. The 54-year-old carpenter was crushed
to death while while building the new stadium in 2004. Last October a
memorial plaque was erected at the stadium. |
