Press Release

Exporters state there is an
“absolute need for Shannon Heathrow service”

Today 16 August 2007, the Chairman of the West/Mid-West region of the Irish Exporters Association stated “there is an absolute need for a Shannon Heathrow service to support exporters trading on the western seaboard, if they are to remain competitively operating from the region.’’

He went on to say “overall trade opportunities will be made much more difficult to execute if business people cannot access Heathrow for both inward and outward connections into Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are working in an increasingly globalised market, peripheral locations lose out unless well connected to the main trading areas internationally. Our futures depend on internationally traded goods and services. We require increased access to global markets, and Heathrow provides this Global gateway”

However, he said ‘’ Yes, solutions must be found if the western seaboard is to remain a dynamic growth area, commercial decisions must be weighted with the short, medium and longer term economic and social requirements of the Western Region ’’

We are fully behind the efforts of the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance, in coming up with a workable solution.

For further information, please contact:
John Carr
Chairman
West/Mid-West Region
Tel: 086-2334020

Additional information for Press

How Businesses use the Shannon/Heathrow route

At present (Aer Lingus Summer Timetable), there are four flights daily between Shannon and Heathrow:

• First flight EI371 departs Heathrow 06:40 and arrives in Shannon at 08:00, this is an excellent connection for overnight international flights arriving to Heathrow.

• First Shannon to Heathrow flight departs Shannon at 08:45 arriving in Heathrow at 10:05, allowing for excellent onward connections.

• Last flight from Heathrow departs 19:25 arriving in Shannon at 20:45, this returns to Heathrow at 21:30 arriving 22:45, again this provides for an excellent working day in the Mid-West for executives visiting from UK and other origin points, and an excellent working day for executives in the Mid-West visiting clients in the greater London area.

About the West/Mid-West region of Irish Exporters Association (IEA)

The IEA represents the needs of export industry ensuring that the necessary conditions are created and the necessary support is provided to assist companies to maximise their export sales. The IEA draws its membership from every exporting sector, ensuring that the interests of all industries are represented and promoted at the highest level. The West/Mid-West region was established to represent the interests of stakeholders in this region.