US Airways began a daily nonstop service from Dublin, Ireland to Philadelphia today, the first of two new routes the airline is launching this week from Ireland to this east coast city.
Tomorrow, US Airways will begin a service between Shannon and Philadelphia. Both flights are operated using the 199 seat Boeing 767 aircraft configured to accommodate 23 passengers in Envoy (business) Class and 176 passengers in the economy-class cabin. Both flights are seasonal and will continue until October 25, 2003.
By: Saab 2000 - 7th May 2003 at 18:44
Thanks EGNM. I know Royal Jordanian pulled out as the A340 can now reach the USA without a stop at Shannon. Shame really. Had relatives who live in Limerick who used to take the A310 to Chicago. They said it was cheap and great service.
By: Ren Frew - 7th May 2003 at 02:44
The Shannon stop is as outdated as the Scottish Prestwick stop. Aer Lingus make a quick touch and go mockery of the ruling, much like Air 2000 made a Glasgow to Orlando (via Prestwick) mockery of the rules back in the early 90’s.
Result… ? The government granted open skies policy to Scottish Airports and most of the US flights moved to Glasgow. That said there’s very little transatlantic traffic witnessed in Scotland now. It’s cheaper and better optioned to route via Manchester, London or Amsterdam.
The Irish seem to be doing it better, largely as said to the huge US/Irish connection. For a population it’s size, it can run regular direct Aer Lingus routes right across the main US hubs. LA, Chicago, Boston, New York etc. Fair play to US Airways for joining in on a vibrant market
I wish we were so lucky in Scotland ?
By: mongu - 6th May 2003 at 21:26
Would surely be cheaper for the Irish to subsidise frequent RJ flights to SNN I’d have thought.
By: EGNM - 6th May 2003 at 20:56
SAAB – i’l dig ot the old copy of AW again – it had a report not so long back. I seem to remember EI pulling out of several of its US routes, Baltimore is one that sticks out that ran via the airport. There were a few i think, BA from LGW and a few regional flights – as i said i’ll loook up for you
By: Saab 2000 - 6th May 2003 at 19:41
Mongu,
The Shannon stop is a legal requirement imposed by the Irish authorities to guarantee the success of tourism in the west of Ireland. Frankly it is an outdated law and risks transatlantic services over regional politics.
The Irish government is now under pressure to scrap the rule as part of a move to liberalise aviation from Europe to the USA. The actual stopover is not well liked by the American airlines with Delta and Continental all angry at the situation because it costs them a lot of money. Even threatened to pull out of Ireland.
By: mongu - 6th May 2003 at 19:24
Is the Shannon stop a legal requirment imposed by the Irish?
I would think having to take off at DUB, fly about 2 minutes, land and take off again has put a lot of airlines off.
By: Saab 2000 - 6th May 2003 at 18:39
A large Irish population in Philidelphia so good news for the Dublin in Shannon. We need some new Aer Lingus trans-atlantic routes soon!
EGNM, out of interest, which flights has Shannon lost? Just I am interested in the Irish flights..
By: EGNM - 6th May 2003 at 14:26
nice one US Airways – glad to see Shannon getting flights back in – seemed to suffer a bit after the 11th Sept 11th downturn with a few airlines pulling the plug
By: Ren Frew - 6th May 2003 at 11:45
Hmmm…. I wonder if the talked about Glasgow-Philly service will go ahead now they’ve opened up in Ireland.
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May 6, 2003 at 11:44 am