One of Pakistan's greatest hockey players, Mr Saleem Sherwani, a double Olympian and double World Cup gold medallist who has 117 international caps, has taken up duties as station manager of Pakistan International Airlines at Shannon.
The company has operated the first two of 12-a-week transit stops at Shannon Airport. The planes are stopping here en route from Karachi to the US and Canada, and the operation is expected to bring £9 million in annual revenue to the airport.
Mr Saleem Nisar, the company's general manager for Britain and Ireland, said the service through Shannon was the first major operation of its kind which the company had attempted at any airport.
When they began operating into London it was only with two flights a week.
"The decision was made because of Shannon's location and its renowned excellent technical and handling facilities on the north Atlantic."
He said another factor was the first-class handling arrangements the company has had for many years with Aer Lingus at London and New York airports. There was also the fact that PIA passengers would avail of the US immigrations clearance facilities.
Mr Nisar said all north American passengers would be routed through Shannon. The first flight yesterday went on to Washington and Toronto, and the later one to New York.
This service was previously routed through Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Paris, which were now being used as a turnaround service from Karachi.
Mr Nisar said 72 crew would be based at Limerick and the annual hotel bill would be £1.5 million, with a further £1 million a year in handling fees.