Shannon cargo service in jeopardy, says mayor
Aer France could be set to terminate its 20-year-old scheduled cargo service from Shannon International Airport, according to the Mayor of Clare.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy has received confirmation from the airline that it plans to relocate its once-weekly service to Dublin while continuing to courier airfreight from the Clare airport to Dublin.
McCarthy explained that Aer France is exploring the move following the decision by Singapore Airlines to end its 11-year-old freight services at Dublin Airport.
“The proposed ending of this service could prove damaging for Shannon as it currently provides the airport and surrounding industrial base with air cargo options unavailable at any other West of Ireland airport,” said McCarthy.
“Aer France claims that any plan to relocate the scheduled service, which carries an estimated 3,000 tonnes of airfreight annually, is due to network reorganisation rather than specific airport issues. That will come as little consolation to Shannon’s major global logistics firms and internationally trading companies, which rely on such services for the viability of their own operations.”
McCarthy said that Aer France is the only cargo service at Shannon capable of carrying large cargo over transcontinental flying distances with fewer refuelling stops.
“I would ask Aer France to immediately clarify its intentions regarding its future operations at Shannon Airport,” said McCarthy.
“The facility’s unrestricted runway, round-the-clock operation, efficient handling and the presence of major multinational firms nearby make it an ideal location for a scheduled airfreight service, which is why I cannot understand Aer France’s proposed move to an overly congested airport.”
