"ALL" Aer Lingus flights via Shannon amount to three daily sevices (two to JFK in the Summer and one to BOS).
It's FIVE. There are two JFK services, two Boston services, and a daily Chicago.
Again as in my previous post the choice is yours - there are daily direct Dublin sevices to JFK, Newark, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and LAX.
JFK = Aer Lingus
Boston = Aer Lingus
Chicago = Aer Lingus
LAX = Aer Lingus
Newark = Continental*
Atlanta = Delta*
Philadelphia = US Air*
* All operated with narrow-body Boeing 757 aircraft, as opposed to Aer Lingus' widebody A330.
50% of those US airlines flights must also operate through Shannon - its the law, but if you look at their websites you'll find it equally difficult to tell which of
their flights go through Shannon.
For example, check out the Continental Timetable here: [broken link removed]
and tell me, which of the flights ex Dublin go through Shannon? Which are non-stop?
That Continental timetable appears to say they fly Dublin direct to Houston.
They don't.
It is actually a Dublin -
Newark - Houston flight!
American, US Airways, and Continental operate daily turnaround services into Shannon with high load factors. The Shannon "stop" is not an issue for these carriers as they are fllling the seats out of Shannon.
Are you trying to confuse the readership? None of those US flights ORIGINATE or TERMINATE in Shannon. They are
forced to land in Shannon before going on to Dublin or the US. The vast majority of passengers are getting on or off in
Dublin, NOT Shannon.
Its exactly the same scenario as applies with Aer Lingus.
I'm getting the feeling you consider the mandatory stopover a GOOD THING? Are you from the Shannon area perchance? Good for you then - no doubt!
As for Aer Lingus what "anti-competition" excuse will they use when the new bilaterial is agreed.
Ireland cannot agree any 'new' bilateral. All EU member state bilaterals were declared ILLEGAL by the EU Courts back in November 2002!
The EU 'Open Skies' negotiations (which I think you are mistakenly referring to as a ' new bilateral') are failing - and given the US political/security situation Open Skies is now highly unlikely to happen - so don't hold your breath on your 'new bilateral'.
And contrary to your dig - as much as Aer Lingus doesn't want to be
forced to fly long haul aircraft into Shannon
nor does any other long-haul airline. Its a waste of fuel and resources and adds pointless cost through landing fees, crew duty time, wear and tear on aircraft through excessive flight cycles which lead to earlier maintenance downtime.
Long haul aircraft are not designed to be used on 25 minute commuter routes!
If the stopover is abolished Aer Lingus can service Shannons transatlantic passengers with their short haul aircraft which are designed for such short flights. These will feed Shannon passengers into the
Dublin based Transatlantic services.
The day the stopover is abolished you'll never see another scheduled US long-haul aircraft in Shannon airport.
Except maybe troop carriers (now thats a whole other kettle of fish).
But now that the Open Skies agreement is dead - there's every chance the Shannon Lobby (which does not include Aer Lingus!) will try to roll back the stopover decision.
And remember the bilateral applies to carriers from both jurisdictions.
Mr.Mannion has already declared his long haul expansion plans for Aer Lingus. He has the aircraft on order to service the new destinations - first due for delivery early next year.
Aer Lingus has little to fear from these lame duck US carriers, Delta is in Chapter11 bankruptcy protection (another scurrilous anti-competitive cheat) and the other two have only recently emerged from it.
The US is afraid to open their skies to Europe because it knows its weak major carriers can't compete and are likely to collapse in the face of open competition.
Aer lingus is champing at the bit for the opportunity.