THE COLLAPSE of Malev has provided an unexpected benefit to Shannon airport, with the majority of the company’s aircraft being repositioned there for parking.
The midwest airport is expected to earn thousands of euro in parking charges while the aircraft are grounded there.
Shannon has a longstanding reputation for providing parking for aircraft including those at the end of their lease and those visiting the airport for maintenance.
As many as 15 of the airlines 22 aircraft, all of which were leased from the US-based International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), were due at Shannon last night within hours of confirmation the airline’s collapse.
Malev ceased operations at 6am yesterday, leaving passengers stranded all over Europe, including more than 100 at Dublin Airport.
Malev operated 18 Boeing 737 jets. The airline also flew six turboprop aircraft. Fifteen of the aircraft were expected in Shannon last night, where ground crews could be seen using road sweepers to prepare the remote taxiway 12 for the jets.
It had been feared that plans by ILFC to reposition the aircraft could be scuppered after Malev pilots initially expressed a reluctance to fly them to Shannon.
It is understood Malev has reached agreement with the lessor that the aircraft will remain in Shannon for a time in the event the airline can resume operations.
One Malev plane was grounded at Dublin airport yesterday, where it remained last night.