NEW PARIS AIR ROUTES FOR SHANNON MAJOR LIFE LINE

Adequately Funded Action Plan Now Urgently Needed

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomes the announcement of CityJet’s Shannon to Charles de Gaulle flight service, stating it is an important new life line for the Shannon and Western regions and will assist in protecting and hopefully boosting inward tourism to region. The IHF is now calling on the Government to capitalise on this new air route to deliver specific targeted measures to further drive visitors to the region and promote its attractiveness as a destination. The IHF stated that Charles De Gaulle is a major Western European hub and would have strategic importance in facilitating business and tourist travellers from across Europe. The IHF stresses the need for this opportunity to be maximised in order to assist in the medium and long term viability of Shannon airport.  

According to Michael Vaughan, Chairman, IHF Shannon Branch this commitment by CityJet, (part of the Air France/KLM Group which is one of the largest airlines in the world) offers immense potential with access ultimately to over 248 destinations throughout the world through their connectivity at Charles De Gaulle. The new route is a positive starting point in reducing the impact of the impending cessation of the Shannon–Heathrow route. To take best advantage of it being a major western European hub, it must be supplemented with significant marketing campaigns to heighten awareness of the attractiveness of the Shannon/Western region with specific tourism campaigns rolled out in markets of best potential.

“Government must now provide the funding to address the unique challenges presented by the Open Skies environment and the cessation of the Shannon–Heathrow from January 1st next.  We need immediate co-ordination and leadership to ensure that we have significant campaigns in place to promote Shannon. There has been a lot of procrastination and talk but little action to date. Now is the time with this announcement today to deliver on Government promises,” says Mr Vaughan.

ENDS

FOR INFORMATION:

Siobhan Molloy / Eoin Quinn                           Tel: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick                                          Mobile: 086 8175066 / 087 2332191