US troop movements through Shannon airport are set to increase with the three US commercial troop carriers which pulled out earlier this year returning to transfer US soldiers through the airport.
World Airways, Miami Air and North American Airways withdrew in February. The three commercial airlines are employed by the US military to transport troops and were involved in the build-up to the US-led war in Iraq.
An Aer Rianta spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that Miami Air and North American Airways had already transported troops through Shannon in recent days, while World Airways had confirmed that it was to resume a programme of flights through Shannon shortly.
The return of the commercial carriers comes as Aer Rianta revealed that almost 50,000 US troops had travelled through Shannon since the start of the year, compared to 73,000 military personnel who passed through Shannon during 2002.
That earned Aer Rianta at Shannon €9 million through landing charges, fuel and catering and the return of the three airlines is expected to generate additional revenue in the coming months.
According to Aer Rianta figures, almost 30,000 US troops used the airport in January and February; the monthly figures have since dropped by a third with 9,585 going through in March on 112 flights and 8,228 flying through on 90 flights during the first 21 days of April.
World Airways, along with American Transair, was one of two large troops carriers using Shannon and transported 8,000 troops in 64 flights through Shannon in January.
However after successive attacks by anti-war activists on a US navy aircraft on January 29th and February 4th, Aer Rianta confirmed that World Airways would not be using Shannon for the immediate future stressing that the decision was not linked to security issues.
Miami Air and North American Airways pulled out shortly afterwards despite the Army being drafted in to protect the airport from further security breaches.
Peace activist Mr Ed Horgan said yesterday that the US troops going through Shannon "is clearly a gross breach of neutrality and the question is what does Ireland do when the next war comes along".
Fianna Fáil TD Mr Tony Killeen welcomed the return of the airlines yesterday. "Any additional business for Shannon is welcome," he said. "At least one of the airlines had concerns over security and obviously if they are returning, they no longer have those concerns."
A Shannon-based member of Clare County Council, Mr Seán Hillery, also welcomed their return.
He said: "We showed solidarity with the US and didn't waver. I am sorry that the war happened and glad that it is over.
"The return of these carriers means an awful lot to Shannon as the airport is the lifeline to the west."
