Addition to winter schedule comes on the back of significant summer upswing in passenger numbers
2013-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Shannon Airport has described today’s announcement by Aer Lingus of a once weekly winter service to Lanzarote as a very welcome step in strengthening winter sun destinations from Shannon.
The new Aer Lingus service, which will provide an additional 8,000 seats over the winter season, commences on October 26th next and will significantly enhance capacity at the airport to what is one of the most popular winter sun destinations for Irish holiday makers. The service will be up and running for the mid-term break and enhances options for families from across the region who take sun-holidays at this time also.
The announcement of the Lanzarote services is the latest in a series of positive developments at Shannon – including securing a range of new UK, European and transatlantic services – since it started life as an independent entity in January.
These new services have already brought an end to five years of month-over-month declines in passenger numbers at Shannon, with 8% and 9% increases recorded in June and July respectively.
The Lanzarote announcement is also the latest commitment by Aer Lingus this year to services at Shannon. Last month the airline announced that its existing Boston and JFK New York flights will operate daily next year, resulting in a 25% increase (50,000 passengers) on its transatlantic capacity at Shannon in 2014.
Welcoming the announcement, Shannon Airport Chief Executive Neil Pakey said that having winter season services to Lanzarote is a positive development for passengers. “We are delighted with this latest Aer Lingus’ commitment on its services at Shannon, especially as it comes so soon after the recent announcement of increased frequency to Boston and New York next year.
“We have just had a great summer and a lot of people will be yearning for the sun again once we hit into the darker months of the year. There is no better place to find it than in Lanzarote,”he said.
Said Aer Lingus Director of Communications Declan Kearney: “This further addition to our winter schedule from Shannon should prove very popular. Lanzarote is a fantastic destination for winter sun-seekers. We look forward to welcoming customers on board the new service.”
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