Historic day for Shannon Airport

An agreement has been struck between the Irish Government and US Government which will see Shannon Airport become the 1st European airport to be granted pre-clearance facilities for transatlantic flights to the USA.

The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced last Friday that he will sign an agreement with the US Government this week. Dempsey believes the deal to be fantastic news for the country as it could see Ireland become a key hub for transatlantic flights.

Pat Shanahan of the Shannon Airport Authority welcomed the news describing it as a historic day for Shannon Airport. He expressed hope that Shannon Airport would thrive with the expected increases in transatlantic flights.

TD Willie O’Dea also welcomed the news describing the news as a watershed and a day when the future of Shannon Airport was secured.

The agreement means that all required inspections can now take place at Shannon Airport rather than in the US. Previous to this only immigration clearance could be given at Irish Airport with agriculture and customs clearance happening in the US.

Pat Shanahan of the Shannon Airport Authority spoke of the huge potential the deal offers with the possibility of extra flights meaning increased landing and handling charges swelling the coffers at Shannon Airport.

After a tough economic year for Shannon Airport this deal could not have come at a better time.

If you need a way of getting around Shannon during your stay then check out our low cost car hire Shannon Airport sevice.

Shannon Airport emergency landing

A transatlantic flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Shannon Airport last month. The flight which was travelling from Washington to Frankfurt had 190 passengers on board.

The Shannon fire brigade as well as ambulances from Ennis was called to the scene as a precaution once news broke of the emergency landing. Extra help was also available from the Ennis fire brigade who were stationed at Dromoland on the Ennis-Limerick dual carriageway should their services be called upon.

Authorities at Shannon Airport said “United Airlines flight 952 was flying from Washington to Frankfurt. We were notified of the precautionary technical diversion at 5.30am. The aircraft had 190 passengers onboard and landed safely at 6.13am. Operations at the airport were not affected during the emergency landing”

It is still unclear however as to what the nature of the emergency was with the only official explanation being offered mentioning a “technical issue”. It is thought though unconfirmed that there was smoke in the cockpit of the plane which got into the flight deck.

Safety and fire crews carried out a full evaluation of the plane. A replacement plane was arranged to take the 190 passengers to Frankfurt.