Aer Lingus transfers from Shannon to Belfast

The announcement that Aer Lingus is to introduce flights from Belfast International to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva in December, and Heathrow in January, had been expected (see first comment here) although, as I understand it, Aer Lingus were required to inform the stock exchange before any public statement was made. First Minister Ian Paisley and junior minister Gerry Kelly will be at hand to bask in the publicity welcome the news but other ministers there are not so happy and Aer Lingus are meeting with workers at Shannon. Simon of The Dossing Times adds some thoughts at Irish Election while the Limerick Blogger is updating on the fly.. so to speak. Adds All politics is, indeed, local. More The official welcome. Update Whilst the junior minister, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly, officially welcomed the announcement there appears to be a difference of opinion within the party ranks – “Aer Lingus decision will boost local economy” and, in another example of local politics, “Aer Lingus’s decision is a direct result of privatisation”

We are reader supported. Donate to keep Slugger lit!

For over 20 years, Slugger has been an independent place for debate and new ideas. We have published over 40,000 posts and over one and a half million comments on the site. Each month we have over 70,000 readers. All this we have accomplished with only volunteers we have never had any paid staff.

Slugger does not receive any funding, and we respect our readers, so we will never run intrusive ads or sponsored posts. Instead, we are reader-supported. Help us keep Slugger independent by becoming a friend of Slugger. While we run a tight ship and no one gets paid to write, we need money to help us cover our costs.

If you like what we do, we are asking you to consider giving a monthly donation of any amount, or you can give a one-off donation. Any amount is appreciated.