United Airlines to end Shannon to Chicago service next year

US carrier United Airlines will axe its service from Shannon Airport to Chicago next year.

United has been operating the seasonal service five times a week since 2013, but said it was discontinuing it because of the route’s poor financial performance.

The same airline recently announced it would suspend flights from Shannon to Newark, New Jersey, for the winter.

Shannon managing director Andrew Murphy said the airport was disappointed by the latest blow.

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“United is and remains a core and valued customer,” he said. “We remain very committed to working with them and our other airline partners to continue to provide services and access to key markets.”

Four other carriers – Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Delta and Norwegian – also fly to North America from Shannon.

Mr Murphy pointed out that Air Canada recently announced it was launching a service from Shannon to Toronto, while Ryanair planned to fly to Barcelona from the airport.

“We remain confident for the future,” he added.