AER LINGUS will suspend its transatlantic services from Shannon airport from January 5th to March 27th next year, breaking a link that stretches back to 1958.
This will affect its direct flights to New York, which run four times a week, and services to Boston, which also operate four days weekly, but originate from Dublin.
Aer Lingus says it has incurred losses of €163 million on its Shannon transatlantic flights during the winter period over the past 15 years.
Its average load factor – the number of seats filled on each aircraft – is also believed to have dipped below 50 per cent.
Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller said the airline remained “committed” to Shannon.
“However, in order to maintain the viability of our Shannon transatlantic operations throughout the remainder of the year,” Mr Mueller added, “the three-month suspension of these routes, when seasonal demand is at its lowest, is crucial.”
About 1,300 passengers who have pre-booked transatlantic flights from Shannon during the 11-week period will be affected by Aer Lingus’s decision to cut services. A spokesman for the airline said the passengers would be offered the option of a refund or an alternative flight out of Dublin.
Aer Lingus’s daily flights from Dublin to New York, Boston, Chicago and its services to Orlando remain unaffected.
The decision will affect 270 Aer Lingus staff at Shannon, who will be asked to work a short-time week or take unpaid leave.
It is understood that the board of Aer Lingus, which includes three representatives of Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, was not consulted about the decision.
It is believed that the Shannon transatlantic services issue is listed for the agenda of Aer Lingus’s board meeting on Friday.
Commenting on the move, a spokesman for Mr Dempsey said: “The Minister welcomes the fact that Aer Lingus has reiterated its commitment to the Shannon market.
“He regrets very much the decision to suspend flights for 11 weeks, but he is satisfied from a meeting he had with Aer Lingus today that it is maintaining employment at Shannon.”
Ennis-based Fine Gael TD Pat Breen expressed his disappointment at Aer Lingus’s decision, citing how two US airlines planned to offer transatlantic flights from Shannon this winter.
“Continental [to Newark, New Jersey] and Delta [to JFK, New York] have both confirmed that they will fly from Shannon this winter, yet our national carrier has decided to abandon the base,” Mr Breen said.
“I think it’s sad that people in the region won’t be able to fly into New York or Boston for St Patrick’s Day with Aer Lingus.”
Michael Vaughan, chairman of the midwest region of the Irish Hotels Federation, was more sanguine about the announcement.
“I’m disappointed but it’s not surprising,” Mr Vaughan said. “It’s the most difficult time of the year and has proved extremely hard to generate business.”