Delta Air Lines is to resume its seasonal route between Shannon and New York next year, it was confirmed today.
The daily service, which is being operated with partner Air France KLM, will begin again on May 1st and operate throughout the summer to JFK Airport.
The service has been timed to connect with other US destinations.
“Shannon is an important market for Delta, and we are excited about the return of the route next summer,” said Frank Jahangir, Delta’s vice president sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa “In addition to the service to New York, the flight offers our Shannon customers convenient connections to more than 45 destinations across the US.”
The news is a boost to the airport, which has suffered a number of setbacks in recent years. In 2009 and 2010, Shannon Airport recorded combined losses of €16 million, and is headed for an €8 million loss this year.
Aer Lingus announced in 2007 it was axing its route from the airport to Heathrow, before reinstating the service in 2009. Ryanair, meanwhile, has criticised the airport for what it describes as high charges.
There was also good news for the region yesterday, when Ryanair announced it is to open four additional direct routes between Knock airport and continental Europe next summer. The extra passenger traffic is expected to generate up to €23 million to the west’s tourist economy