The new US ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin, visited Shannon Airport on Monday 28 February ahead of the resumption of transatlantic services from the airport on 10 March.
Visit Activities
According to a statement published on Shannon Airport operator Shannon Group's website, Cronin met with Shannon Group chairman Pádraig Ó Céidigh and Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine, and was briefed on activities at the airport and across the Shannon campus, as well as being given a tour of the airport and Shannon Duty Free, being given a demonstration of the new airport security screening system, meeting with the airport's US customs and border protection team, and touring the US customs and border protection facility.
Statement By Shannon Group CEO
The statement published on Shannon Group's website included a statement from Considine, in which she said, "Shannon has a proud tradition of welcoming visitors from all over the world. Statesmen and women, movie stars, celebrities and every US president since John F Kennedy have been welcomed at Shannon Airport over the years. And we were delighted to continue that tradition by welcoming the first female US Ambassador to Ireland since Jean Kennedy Smith in 1998, who was a regular visitor to Shannon.
"The visit of Ambassador Cronin was timely as we look forward to welcoming US tourists and businesspeople back to Shannon Airport shortly with the restart of our transatlantic air services which are so important for our regional economy."
Transatlantic Services Resumption
The statement on Shannon Group's website added that transatlantic services from Shannon Airport will resume on 10 March with the resumption of Aer Lingus's Shannon to Boston service, which will be followed by the resumption of Aer Lingus's New York service on 11 March and the resumption of United's Newark service on 28 March.
Airfield Upgrade Work
The above news followed news that, according to a separate statement published on Shannon Group's website, more than 40 jobs were created during Shannon Airport's latest airfield upgrade work, which began in October of last and was undertaken by Clare Civil Engineering.
The work involved the resurfacing of the airfield's executive jet and light aircraft park as well as the extension of a section of the apron, which facilitates aircraft for loading and unloading cargo and passengers and for refuelling, and the resurfacing of the airfield's long-term aircraft parking area, according to the statement published on Shannon Group's website, which included a statement from Shannon Airport director of operations Niall Maloney, in which he said, "The €5.35 million project, which was 50% funded by the Department of Transport will future proof the airport’s airfield and enhance operations.
"We are extremely grateful for the funding support from the Department of Transport that has enabled us to complete this project.
"We are in a period of rebuilding and recovering at Shannon Airport, following severe global travel restrictions. This time has allowed us to focus on key elements and provide longevity to the airport infrastructure, developed for our aircraft and associated operators."
The statement published on Shannon Group's website also included a statement from Shannon Commercial Properties head of engineering Grainne Mc Inerney, in which she said, "Over the past 18 weeks a team of 60 people have worked extremely hard to ensure our airfield rehabilitation project is completed. We would like to thank our design consultants RPS Consulting Engineers, and Clare Civil Engineering Company Ltd who carried out this remedial work."
The statement published on Shannon Group's website added that Shannon Airport's latest airfield upgrade work brings the total investment in upgrade works at the airfield in the last half decade to €20 million.
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