![]() ![]() “They have endured a really troublesome time over the last 18 months since the pandemic,” he added. Ms Embleton told the Oireachtas Transport Committee: “It’s the structure of the amount of flying and schedules that we are able to operate to and from Shannon, it simply didn’t support an ongoing crew base in the way that was cost-effective.”įine Gael TD Joe Carey said it was a “very traumatic time” for cabin crew and their families. The decision led to the cancellation of all Aer Lingus flights operated by Stobart Air. Stobart Air informed Aer Lingus earlier this month that it was terminating its franchise agreement and was in the process of appointing a liquidator. Ms Embleton also said the airline will not be reversing its decision to remove the cabin crew from its Shannon base. Clare, I recognise fully that the fate of our region lives and dies with Shannon and I pledge to the Aer Lingus workers and all who hold Shannon Airport close to their hearts that I will do everything possible, along with others, to try to save the airline’s Shannon base.The boss of Aer Lingus has defended the airline’s decision to close its Shannon Airport base, saying it was the “right decision” to get the company profitably flying.Ĭhief executive Lynne Embleton said the amount of flights out of Shannon meant it was “not cost-effective” to have a crew based at the airport. “As my party’s Aviation Spokesperson but moreover as a TD for Co. “The decision is a commercial one but I hope that some eleventh hour interventions from government and other stakeholders in the region can avert this. “Whilst Covid has had a devastating impact on international aviation, it alone doesn’t account for the entirety of today’s decision by Aer Lingus. “Shannon Airport, although an international airport, is very reliant on Aer Lingus and Ryanair in terms of regular outbound and inbound services – other airports are able to spread their offering over a broad spectrum of airlines so this withdrawal of commitment from Aer Lingus adds huge pressure on top of the existing pressure on Shannon. “In recent years, Aer Lingus’ commitment to Shannon has been questionable – at a whim they’ve moved aircraft to serve routes out of Dublin and more recently to Manchester. “The Digital Green Cert will be implemented in a matter of weeks and its final agreement and implementation is contingent on it being ratified by all EU member states – the fate of Irish aviation and the fate of Shannon Airport hugely depends on this deal being struck and international air travel resuming in the quickest possible time. ![]() “Without Aer Lingus flying out of Shannon, we are left with very little. I have asked the Taoiseach to intervene in the case and speak with the company directly, because even though the job losses are central to everyone’s thoughts, there are even wider ramifications for our region when one considers the loss of connectivity to the US, Heathrow and continental Europe. “I don’t think this should be accepted as a fate a complete. “Aer Lingus has a long and proud history spanning over seven decades in and out of Shannon Airport and today’s announcement by the airline puts an end to that. “This news is beyond devastating for all of the Aer Lingus staff who work out of the Shannon Airport base and is equally devastating for Shannon Airport and the Midwest region overall,” said Deputy Crowe. The 81 cabin crew members based in Shannon are to be offered “enhanced” redundancy terms or, where possible, a transfer to Dublin Airport, while around 45 ground crew will be laid off. The airline has this afternoon confirmed its intentions to permanently close its base at Shannon, putting 130 workers’ jobs on the line. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism and Aviation Cathal Crowe is calling for immediate state action to attempt to reverse Aer Lingus’ decision to pull out of Shannon Airport for good. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |