MUNSTER Rugby fans planning a visit to the south of France later this month received good news when Shannon Airport announced that more than 1,000 additional plane seats will be available on chartered flights.
The two-time European champions are in Heineken Cup semi-final action against Toulon at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Sunday April 27 and, with a large travelling support expected as always, extra services have been laid on for those wishing to make the trip.
Charter services put on include the team flight on Friday April 25, with a two-night stay, which is already fully booked. Other services, which can be booked through local travel agents, include two day-return services for the match day itself and fans are also being asked to stay in contact with their travel agents, airport website and the airport’s social media accounts should extra services become available.
Commenting on the additional services, Shannon Airport Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Murphy said: “Marseille is probably rubbing its hands at the thoughts of the influx of Munster fans for the match.
“We have been inundated at Shannon with calls and emails about flights. That’s something we expected once Munster got through on Saturday as Munster supporters are probably the most dedicated in club rugby and will travel in huge numbers for the game.
“We have been working hard to get additional capacity and have been successful with the two one-day charters and the team flight, which will involve a two-night stay but which is already booked out.
“There has also been a a spike in bookings in our Ryanair flights to Stansted to take advantage of their onward connections to Marseille, while our own Ryanair service to Nice, which is less than two hours from Marseille, is also filling up. We would not at all be surprised either if additional charter capacity is announced and will keep fans aware via our website www.shannonairport.ie and our Twitter account and facebook page if there are any developments in that regard.
“Shannon has been fortunate to have had some great moments with Munster Rugby over the years, including the incredible scenes as the side returned here from its two Heineken Cup victories, and we are hoping, of course, that they will go all the way again this year. We will be rolling out the red carpet with a number of initiatives at Shannon over the weekend to make sure that the team and fans get the send-off they deserve.”
