Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion has said the airline has no plans to expand its transatlantic or European services out of Shannon, but is committed to maintaining its current level of 400,000 transatlantic passengers in the new Open Skies market.
Mr Mannion was making his first visit to Shannon as boss of Aer Lingus. He met the representatives of the Shannon Airport Board there today.
The airline currently employs 400 staff at the airport, and carries 400,000 passengers on its transatlantic services from Shannon to New York, Boston, Newark and Chicago.
Mr Mannion said the airline is committed to maintaining its staff levels and the current transatlantic numbers. But he said it has no plans for expansion, unless there are commercial benefits for the company.
He welcomed the board's incentive initiatives to lower airport charges over the winter from next year in an effort to offer substantial discounts to transatlantic operators.
The Shannon Airport Board is currently reviewing its landing charges, and from November next year is offering a 30% rebate to all transatlantic operators who continue their services through the winter.
Shannon Airport Chairman Pat Shanahan said the airport is anticipating a drop in the transatlantic traffic in an Open Skies environment, but welcomed the commitment from Aer Lingus to maintain its current services in the new more competitive environment.
