O’Hare service a “huge win” for tourism and business – McNamara

Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has described the announcement by United Airlines of daily flights to and from Shannon Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport as a “huge win” for tourism and business in Shannon, County Clare and the wider region.

Deputy McNamara said the summer service, which commences on 26 May 2023, also will benefit the business sector with direct flights to one of the biggest airport hubs in the United States.

“US visitors to Ireland have increasingly been entering the country through Dublin Airport since this flight was removed from the schedule at Shannon Airport in June 2020,” he stated. “This has proved damaging to tourism and business in the region, which is why this news will be very much welcomed by both sectors.”

Deputy McNamara outlined that the announcement would enable visitors from the US Midwest to base themselves in the West of Ireland when booking their trips for 2023.

He explained, “A Clare tourism delegation that recently returned from Milwaukee Irish Fest in Wisconsin reported significant interest amongst the 140,000 festivalgoers in booking trips to Ireland through Shannon Airport, but the absence of such a service from Chicago made the job even more difficult. The significance of this announcement for tourism in Clare cannot be understated.”

“I wish to congratulate Mary Considine and the management team at Shannon Airport Group for their efforts to bring about this new service which will be an addition to the daily service to Newark/New Jersey that United operate at Shannon and which is set to return on the 8 April 2023,” concluded Deputy McNamara.