Aer Lingus is to resume flights to London Heathrow from Shannon this evening, 14 months after the route was controversially axed. The service will be run twice daily.
Shannon Airport director Martin Moroney today welcomed the reinstatement of the route saying it was hugely significant for business and tourism interests across the West of Ireland.
"Today is a very important day for not just Shannon Airport but for tourism and business interests across the West of Ireland and beyond who depend on Shannon Airport for one-stop connectivity to and from our key
international markets," he said.
Cityjet is doubling its capacity on its Shannon- Paris Charles de Gaulle service and bringing forward its first service of the day to 6.30am.
Mr Moroney said 2009 would be a "challenging" year for everyone including the global aviation business, but "between these services and the launch of full pre-clearance services with the US here later in the year, the West of Ireland is well placed to meet these challenges."