Shannon Airport wins Airport of the Year Award from the European Regions Airline Association (ERA)

SHANNON, Ireland, 2015-10-16 — /Travel PR News/ — Shannon Airport has received major recognition from the European airline community after being chosen as this year’s winner of the Airport of the Year Award from the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) for the second year in a row, the first time this has happened in the history of the award.

The award was announced last night at a gala event at the ERA’s annual General Assembly, held this year in Berlin.  The Airport of the Year Award is intended to recognise airports which have had a positive impact on intra-European air transport operations and which recognise the importance of airline-airport partnerships. Previous winners of the award include London City, Budapest and Munich Airports.

Welcoming the award Neil Pakey Shannon Group plc CEO said, “It is a great accolade for the all of our employees here at Shannon.  Getting this kind of positive recognition from our peers in the aviation industry and from our airline customers is a marvellous boost for our business.  We will continue our efforts to be the best possible airport for our community and for visitors to our region.”

According to the judging panel, Shannon won this year’s award on a number of grounds, most notably for attracting a second based Ryanair aircraft and for the launch of Aer Lingus’ expanded transatlantic services in 2014, resulting in a 17% increase in passenger numbers for the year.  The judges also recognised Shannon’s strong route network and range of US destinations in particular.

Said Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes, “This award is great recognition for the Shannon team and the hard work here since we gained independence.  We have turned the corner but still have a lot more to do. However wins like this along the way continue to boost confidence and twice in a row is a tremendous achievement.”

Patrick Edmond, Shannon Group plc Strategy Director, received the trophy last night at ERA’s prestigious awards dinner, held at the vintage car museum in Berlin, Classic Remise. He commented: “To win such a prestigious European aviation award is a proud achievement for Shannon, but to win it two years in a row is remarkable. This kind of recognition from our industry peers really validates the hard work of Shannon’s people and inspires us to do more.”

The Award is judged by a panel of leading experts drawn from the aviation industry, including past and present CEOs of European airlines and airport consultants.

SOURCE: Shannon Airport

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