THERE was a further blow for Shannon Airport this Wednesday when Ryanair announced it was to cut its number of flights from Shannon by 21%.
They are to close the Shannon-Paris route from November 1; Shannon-Gatwick is to be reduced from seven to six rotations per week; Shannon-Stansted from 13 to 11.

CEO Michael O’Leary pointed out that they had reduced their number of destinations from Shannon from 35 in 2008, to just six from November 1 next, a cutback of 70%.
This latest decision means that instead of 31 flights per week, they will now have only 24, which will mean a further reduction in passenger numbers by 105,000 per annum.

According to Mr O’Leary, their move will result in the loss of 100 jobs in Shannon and surrounding area.
Shannon’s failure to reverse their decision to increase passenger charges by €1.58 was blamed by Mr O’Leary.
The ongoing issue of the Government’s €10 travel tax had earlier led to the airline’s  trimming down of services.

Michael O'Leary on Shannon - Uncut from Colum Coomey on Vimeo.

Shannon Airport claimed the latest increase was required to maintain the airport’s profitability.
Ryanair currently employ 40 people at the airport.

Last winter they axed 18 routes, reduced the number of Shannon-based engineers from seven to one and the number of aircraft based at the airport from six to three.
Ryanair currently flies from Shannon to Edinburgh. Liverpool,  Gatwick and Stansted.
It also operates services to sun spots Malaga, Majorca, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and to and Nantes in France, as well as Wroclaw, Poland.

At one time, Ryanair handled an estimated two million passengers annually through Shannon,  now reduced to  500,000.
CEO Michael O’Leary had blamed a failure to agree on a new low-cost deal for their decision to reduce its number of aircraft.
At Wednesday’s press conference he said that the Shannon management’s decision to increase passenger charges was one of the greatest examples of shooting yourself in the foot.
There will be concern in Shannon at the Ryanair decision to further reduce services.