Madam, - The importance of the Shannon-Heathrow slots to tourism in the west of Ireland cannot be underestimated.
The Open Skies agreement will come into force in April 2008. From winter 2007 onwards, transatlantic flights to Shannon are being reduced in frequency by Aer Lingus and other airlines. Moreover, American Airlines and Air Canada have announced that they are withdrawing from Shannon altogether.
According to Fáilte Ireland statistics, of the 617,000 North American holiday visitors who flew to Ireland in 2006, 36 per cent flew directly to Shannon, 27 per cent directly to Dublin and 37 per cent via another European gateway. These statistics also show that Shannon arrivals typically stayed longer in Ireland, were more mobile and were more likely to rent a car and visit more regions of the country than those who arrived via Dublin.
At the moment 60,000 transatlantic passengers transit through Heathrow on their way to Shannon. Shannon has no other convenient transit option via any other London or European airport. Is it not obvious, therefore, that with reduced transatlantic services the west of Ireland will now need the Shannon to Heathrow flights more than ever and that there is huge potential for growth on this route? - Yours, etc,
SIMON HADEN, Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.