After almost two years, transatlantic flights have resumed at Shannon Airport, restoring crucial connectivity to the region, and boosting the region’s economy.
Daily flights to Boston resumed today, with a daily flight to New York/JFK service restarting tomorrow.
This marks the first transatlantic flight between the Mid-West of Ireland and the USA since March 21, 2020, following the US travel ban during the height of the pandemic.
Before boarding the new A321LR Aer Lingus aircraft at Shannon Airport for their 7-hour journey to Boston, passengers cleared US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Shannon was the first US immigration pre-inspection facility in Europe established in 1986, later becoming a full pre-clearance operation in 2009, and the following year, the airport was the first in the world to offer full preclearance for private aircraft.
Today’s journey for passengers was made easier by the airport’s recent introduction of a new security screening system which halves time spent in this area and eliminates the 100ml only rule. Shannon is the only State airport in Ireland to operate this cutting-edge technology.
Shannon Group chief executive Mary Considine said that the links between the US and the West of Ireland are a huge part of Shannon’s story.
“We are delighted to be here today to mark another milestone in the airport’s recovery with the re-establishment of crucial US air links that were suspended as a result of the pandemic
“It is a fantastic day for our passengers, our staff, the broader airport community and the US Customs and Border Protection team here at Shannon Airport,” Ms Considine added.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton said transatlantic flights from Shannon had resumed almost two years after Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic and began to decimate the aviation sector and ground flights worldwide.
“The resumption of our US routes will be a welcome boost for the 40 per cent of Ireland’s FDI located within this region as they allow companies to get their goods to market and make it easier for people to trade,” she added.
