Shannon Airport is set to get its first ever scheduled air service by Lufthansa, a Star Alliance member, next summer when the airline introduces a new Shannon to Frankfurt route. The service will operate weekly on Saturday’s from 29th April to 21st October using an A319 aircraft.
Matthew Thomas, Chief Executive, Shannon Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lufthansa to Shannon with their first scheduled service. This is a significant milestone for our airport and region by one of the world’s major airlines.
“Germany is Ireland’s third-largest source of visitors and the addition of this new Frankfurt Main service is great news for the Irish tourism industry along the west coast and beyond as Shannon Airport will provide German holidaymakers with a gateway to the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way and Irish holidaymakers with an opportunity to explore a wonderful part of Germany. We look forward to working with the team at Lufthansa and our Irish tourism industry partners to ensure the success of the new service.”
Andreas Köster, Senior Director Sales UK, Ireland and Iceland, Lufthansa Group, said: “We are very happy to announce this new non-stop flight directly to the heart of Germany. Customers from the western part of Ireland will travel in just a bit more than two hours to Frankfurt. It will connect our hub and offer a smooth connection to some intercontinental destinations such as Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo or Singapore.”
Declan Power, Head of Aviation Development, Shannon Airport, added: “With over 60% of German visitors to Ireland actually visiting and staying in the Shannon catchment area, we are confident that this new direct service from Frankfurt will be a tremendous success and we look forward to working with Lufthansa in developing and growing this route and other German services over the coming years.”
This is the second new service to be announced at Shannon Airport in just over four weeks. Last month SAS Scandinavian Airlines announced a new Shannon-Stockholm service for 2017. The new Frankfurt service reinforces Shannon’s position as the natural gateway for the Wild Atlantic Way and connects Shannon to the financial heartbeat of continental Europe.
Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes the announcement by Lufthansa of a new flight from Frankfurt to Shannon, which will certainly expand travel options for German holidaymakers wishing to visit the Wild Atlantic Way and the West of Ireland next summer. We look forward to working closely with Lufthansa and Shannon Airport to maximise the promotion of this new route and to help drive demand for the flight. As an island destination, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.”
Flight Details:
- Operates on Saturdays from 29th April to 21st October 2017
- Departs Frankfurt Main Airport 15.50 and arrives at Shannon Airport 17.05
- Departs Shannon Airport 17.50 and arrives at Frankfurt Main Airport 21.00
