Almost 1000 years of combined service at airport

Staff members who were honoured for 970 years of loyal service to Shannon Airport last Friday. Photo: Eamon Ward

SHANNON Airport staff were honoured at a ceremony on Friday last to mark an impressive combined 970 years of loyal service to the airport.

Thirty staff working in areas across the airport operation were honoured at the event.

Eight received their 25 years’ service award; eight received their 30 years’ service award; six received their 35 years’ service award and eight reached a significant milestone of 40 years’ service.

Staff from a range of departments throughout the airport were recognised for their contribution, among them; the Airport Police Fire Service, Airport Search Unit, Airport Operations, Retail, Procurement, Car Parks, Engineering, Finance, Commercial, Human Resource and the Airport Information Desk.

Commenting on the achievement airport managing director Andrew Murphy said that retirement and long service functions provided a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and thank the dedicated team at Shannon.

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“We are a community airport where safety and customer service is at the heart of our mission. Delivering on this promise is down to our staff, who work tirelessly to ensure that we make it easy for our customers each time they visit Shannon Airport.

“Whether it’s making it easy to get from the car park to the departure gate as quickly and smoothly as possible, or keeping the runway operational in sub-zero conditions, or organising grass cutting to support local farmers during the fodder shortages, it is part of the unique DNA of our staff to go the extra mile and we really appreciate this.

“It is this strong sense of commitment to community that inspired our staff to develop the airport’s Autism and Special Needs Awareness Programme and motivated them to open Europe’s first airport sensory room last year. It is that same sense of responsibility that led Shannon Airport staff and their Shannon Group colleagues to raise more than €230,000 for their chosen staff charities in the past five years.

Recalling some of her memorable moments from over 35 years working in retail at Shannon Airport, long service award recipient Jackie Quinn, a native of Limerick but living in Quin, Co. Clare said, “For me it’s the energy of the place I love.

“The airport has a unique energy. You never know who you are going to meet from one day to the next. Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many famous people including that late George Bush senior and King Hussein of Jordan. Both were lovely men, very courteous.”

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