British Airways has selected Shannon Airport as the stop-over for the first ever long-haul service from London City Airport.
British Airways will be starting a twice-daily business class service between London City and New York in autumn 2009, with west bound flights using Shannon as a stop-over for refuelling and immigration facilities.
East bound flights will be non-stop to London City.
British Airways will only be taking passengers on board at London City and JFK.
Welcoming the announcement, Shannon Airport Director Martin Moroney said that the decision by British Airways to choose Shannon ahead of other airports that were competing for this business is a significant and timely boost for the airport.
This is the first British Airways service out of Shannon since the early 1990s.
The flight must stop over on its route due to the length of the runway at London City airport. The maximum take-off payload is restricted and therefore requires a technical fuel stop en route to the US.
