By Bev Fearis, published 2/09/20
Six UK regional airports are bidding to become the new base for Aer Lingus’ transatlantic flights previously operated from Shannon, according to reports.
The Irish Times says two Aer Lingus Airbus A321 long-range craft based at Shannon, which would normally fly to Boston, New York and Heathrow, have been grounded since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
It says Edinburgh and Manchester are among six UK regional airports now bidding have to these aircraft based with them to provide U.S. flights.
The report said any services are likely to begin in 2021 and run for an initial three years.
It said the move could potentially leave Shannon with just one U.S. service, flown by American Airlines. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have already confirmed they will not resume flights from the Irish airport in 2021.
Aer Lingus is putting pressure on the Irish Government to relax travel restrictions, which are among the strictest in Europe and require anyone arriving from countries not on a limited list, which excludes the UK and much of the EU, to self-isolate for 14 days.
