AER ARANN will today confirm plans to make a return to Shannon airport after a four-year absence by announcing its intention to take up four routes axed by Ryanair in recent months.
The airline says it will make a significant announcement when it holds a “special press conference” at the midwest airport this morning.
There has been speculation in recent days that Aer Arann will revive up to four routes, all of which have been vacated by Ryanair in recent months.
Aer Arann has not commented on the details of the “official announcement”.
However, it is widely believed the company will confirm its intention to operate flights from Shannon airport to Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow roues previously operated by Ryanair.
The news will be a welcome boost for the airport, which has seen a dramatic drop in business since Ryanair axed 17 routes and cut the number of aircraft it had based at Shannon from four to just one.
Last October, Aer Arann signalled its intention to return to Shannon, stating that it was committed to providing connectivity from the Irish regions “including Shannon airport and the mid-west.”
The airline’s chief executive,Paul Schütz, who will travel to Shannon today, is expected to confirm that the airline will commence operations on four of the routes vacated by Ryanair.