Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will redouble efforts on that specific route. I will take up the matter directly with officials in the Department. I will discuss it further with the Minister, Deputy Ross, and Tourism Ireland to see if we can restore it. I absolutely appreciate its importance for the entire western seaboard. As someone who comes from County Kerry, we fully acknowledge the importance of transatlantic flights into Shannon. We also acknowledge the new services into and out of Cork Airport. It is critical in terms of the regionality of the industry to have Shannon as a vibrant hub for North American activity.

So far this year, the results for visitors from the US are very positive, with a 4.2% increase over the first two months of last year. We hope to have the March figures very shortly. That is a very good environment for United Airlines or any other airline to consider offering a year-round Shannon to Chicago service.

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