Latest news with #Considine
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Shannon Airport CEO optimistic for summer season despite geopolitical tensions
After a landmark year in 2024, Shannon Airport is building on its momentum with new routes, increased investment, and a growing passenger base taking it from strength to strength. Welcoming 2.1m passengers last year, its highest number since 2009, the Shannon Airport Group posted an 8% rise in annual turnover in 2024 — rising to more than €73m, with its pre-tax profit for the year totalling almost €26m. Its success has caught the attention of several major airlines, with the airport now offering its largest transatlantic schedule with five daily nonstop flights to the US, landing in New York, Newark, Boston and Chicago. Its latest vote of confidence came earlier this week from budget airline Ryanair, which announced three new routes alongside a $100m investment in the airport as it continues to expand its presence across regional hubs. The investment includes the addition of a new aircraft to be stationed at Shannon, bringing its total number to four for its 2025 winter schedule. It now hosts one more Ryanair aircraft than Cork, despite the second largest airport having 1m more passengers last year. 'We see a huge potential for growth and believe there is a real opportunity for us,' said Mary Considine, the chief executive officer of the Shannon Airport Group. Shannon Airport CEO Mary Considine says Ireland's aviation policy should be changed because Dublin has an 85-86% market share. Picture: Arthur Ellis Appointed in October 2019, Ms Considine told the Irish Examiner: 'The more aircraft we have here, the more frequency and services Ryanair can offer. 'In addition to increased frequencies for our six most popular routes, they have also been able to announce three new routes for the winter: Madrid, Madeira and Lapland.' Yet despite its enhanced connectivity across Europe, Shannon's transatlantic flights remain some of its busiest and are a vital component of its overall operations. However, as political tensions rise across the US, the number of people travelling across the Atlantic from Ireland has fallen drastically. Recent figures from the US International Trade Administration (ITA) found that passenger travel from Ireland fell by 27% in March when compared to the same month in 2024, with Ireland representing one of the highest decreases across all European countries. When geopolitical events are happening with heightened uncertainty, sometimes people hesitate in making decisions Yet, despite this downward demand pressure on US travel, Ms Considine remains optimistic. 'Talking with our airline partners, they're very confident about the summer season. There are very strong forward bookings, which go back to the strong market for the US from here," she said. 'We have very strong foreign direct investment in the catchment area of Shannon Airport. Almost 50% of the [foreign direct investment] in the country comes from within our immediate catchment area. "We're also the international gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, and we are seeing strong tourism growth.' Noting recent figures from the Central Statistics Office, which found tourism numbers had fallen by 4% in April, Ms Considine says that has not been reflected in the airport's performance. 'We've seen good growth here. We saw 7% growth last year, and we expect to be up by between 7-8% again this year. Preclearance facility The CEO also notes Shannon's US preclearance facility — one of only two across Europe, the other being in Dublin — which she says brings greater comfort to Irish people, especially young adults and those travelling on J1 visas, and even provides an opportunity for the airport to grow. 'Take Charles De Gaulle [Airport], for example,' Ms Considine said. 'They bring quite an amount of transfer passengers here, because people prefer to pre-clear here then be refused once they get to the US. We see that kind of demand growing at Shannon, which provides an opportunity for us here But Shannon Airport's long-standing history with the US is reflected across its operations and not just in its commercial flight offerings. Recent months have seen a renewed focus on the regional airport over reports that Israeli aircraft have flown weaponry from the US to Ireland through Irish airspace. Last week, RTÉ reported that between 2022 and 2024, a total of 978 US military flights landed at Irish airports, mostly in Shannon, for refuelling and maintenance purposes. During the same period, more than 1,000 applications were made by US civil aircraft with munitions of war on board to land at Shannon. Reports of these flights have drawn large crowds to the airport in protest of its accommodation of US military aircraft, particularly those bound for Israel. Addressing these demonstrations, Ms Considine said that while the airport accepts and recognises the right to protest in a peaceful manner, Shannon Airport operates solely based on government policy. At the end of the day, we work under the direction of the Irish Government. We are State-owned and our focus is on providing a safe, secure and operational airport "Anything that interferes with the safety and security of the airport is obviously something to be concerned about," she said. 'Concerning recent incidents, we're working very closely with gardaí to ensure there is no impact on the operation of our aerodrome facility. Addressing the reports of military aircraft coming through the airport, Ms Considine added: 'It's government policy. Everything is done in line with existing policy, and everything that requires clearance from the Government receives that clearance. 'It is government policy, and we implement government policy.' Shannon has five daily transatlantic flights, its pre-clearance facility reassuring passengers of guaranteed entry to the US. Picture: Denis Scannell Looking forward, Ms Considine says recent investments from Ryanair and US airline partners fall concisely in line with its own future strategy, which prioritises passenger growth, infrastructure improvements, and the airport group's commercial property portfolio, which the CEO says has experienced strong growth in recent months, particularly across the manufacturing sector. In addition, Shannon is also seeking to re-balance what Ms Considine has called a lopsided market share among Ireland's airports. 'If you look at Dublin, it has an 85-86% market share. We need to look at where people want to go and then meet those needs. That is why growing the range of services from Shannon Airport is so important, so we can offer that choice and then grow our market share. 'This is why we have been calling on the Government to revise its aviation policy. One avenue open to them is to amend the threshold under the regional airports programme so that airports up to 3m passengers can apply for grant funding. 'I also think it would be good for the country if we had better distribution of air traffic to free up capacity in Dublin, allowing them to go after those long-haul markets, while allowing us all to be complimentary of one another. 'It's not about not allowing Dublin to grow, it's about growing all airports and using the airport system more holistically.' Read More Ryanair to base fourth aircraft at Shannon adding routes to Madrid and Lapland
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Shannon Airport expecting 100k passenger increase this winter
Shannon Airport is expecting to increase passenger numbers through the facility by 100,000 this winter, as a result of a new investment by Ryanair. The airline plans to add a number of new routes from the Co. Clare airport, as well as offering increased frequency on several other services. It says it will invest €87 million in an expansion of services from Shannon this winter. The company plans to base a fourth aircraft there, increasing flight frequency and allowing for enhanced flexibility. New routes will be offered to Madrid, Madeira and Lapland, in addition to extra flights to existing routes. The CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine, said the announcement would offer passengers greater choice and boost the airport's position as "a key gateway to and from the west of Ireland". She described the investment as an endorsement of the way in which the airport could assist in addressing regional imbalance and drive economic activity across the region. Ms Considine said there was a need for a new aviation policy to support the Airport's strategic importance and further develop its potential. She has called on the Government to expedite a review of the Regional Airports Programme, to allow for an increase in the passenger threshold for State aid. Ms Considine contends that an existing cap of one million passengers for such supports should be extended to three million. Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, said the company's investment would lead to a 20% increase in the volume of passengers using the airline's services to and from Shannon. He said the decision underpinned a commitment to regional airports and its support for tourism activity in the region. Mr McGuinness said there was scope for further growth and said changes to the Regional Airports Programme, would allow for increased traffic to Shannon, Kerry and Ireland West Airports. Ryanair's overall annual traffic through Shannon Airport is forecast to grow to 1.6 million passengers, as a result of today's announcement. Speaking at the launch of the investment programme, Mr McGuinness again called on the Government to address the cap on flights into and out of Dublin airport. While he emphasised the potential for airports outside the capital to expand, he said the issue in relation to the cap at Dublin was a separate matter and needed to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘This was my last chance': Fight to keep Job Corps open seen nationally and in Pinellas County
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Pinellas County Job Corps will host a job fair Wednesday to help its students and staff after the U.S. Department of Labor announced it would be pausing the Job Corps program nationwide. Job Corps is a vocational trade school designed to help low-income students. 4 HCPS graduates complete rare feat thousands of other students couldn't achieve 'This was my last chance to actually do something with my life so I kind of want to help save this place,' said Skye Considine, a student at Job Corps. Considine said she had about a year and a half left in her program at the Pinellas County location. Now, she and more than 100 other students have just days left before the campus closes down. The Department of Labor Secretary said, 'A startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve.' The program will pause operations at all Job Corps centers by June 30. 'Job Corps does so much and it fills so many needs in our community,' said St. Petersburg City Council Member Corey Givens. Judge blocks Florida law barring minors from social media Givens worked at this Job Corps for five years. He said the closure will leave a devastating gap. 'Not only are 150 young people trained here but over 100 people work here. Not only will you have young people who are homeless, but now you have people who won't be able to feed their families and it's just unfair,' Givens said. When asked if the city of St. Pete can do anything, Givens said they can put pressure on elected officials in congress. Tampa Bay representative Kathy Castor sent a letter to the DOL secretary asking to reverse the decision, and wants certain questions answered by June 15. Castor asked how student participation numbers were gathered for their transparency report and why one year's worth of graduation rates was given. She also asked if COVID-19 impacts were considered, if there are efficient structural changes that can be made prior to stopping operations, and more. Considine said she would tell leaders how Job Corps helped give her a future. 'It's a really good place to be here, and I don't want this place to be shut down because this was one of my only other options that I had left,' Considine said. The National Job Corps Association filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to protect Job Corps Tuesday. 'For generations, Job Corps has provided life-changing education and hands-on training to young people looking for a pathway to a better future,' said Donna Hay, President and CEO of the National Job Corps Association. 'These students are often overcoming significant personal and economic challenges and Job Corps gives them the ability to gain the skills they need to build meaningful careers.' The job fair will be Wednesday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the gym at Pinellas County Job Corps. Both students and staff may participate. See the flyer below for more information. If you want to send Marilyn Parker a news tip about this story or other newsworthy events, fill out the form below! Submit a form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa Hawkeyes interested in another Byron Considine
BYRON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — A path has been established for Byron football player Caden Considine to follow in his father Sean's footsteps at the college level. Considine has been offered a preferred walk-on position with the Iowa is where Considine's father Sean starred at safety after he walked-on at Iowa. Iowa is looking at Considine as a linebacker. He also plays fullback for Byron. Considine indicated on his 'X' account that he got the offer Sunday after having a strong showing at Iowa's football camp. Considine also opened some eyes there with his 40-yard dash time of still has another year ahead of him at Byron High School before he goes off to college. As a sophomore he helped lead Byron to an IHSA Class 3A state championship. His junior year Byron lost in the second round of the playoffs in a nail-biter to Lombard Montini which went on to win the state championship. Caden Considine also is a standout baseball player and basketball player for Considine played for Iowa from 2001 through 2004. He then had an eight-year NFL career with the Eagles, Jaguars, Panthers and Ravens. He was on the Ravens team that won the Super Bowl during the 2012 season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Unseen moment Aberdeen hero finally gets in Scottish Cup trophy lift pic after 18 YEARS of trying with unique footage
IT was a day to remember for everyone associated with Aberdeen on Saturday as they lifted the Scottish Cup after a 35-year wait. And one of their heroes got in on the celebrations after an 18-year wait of his own. 3 Aberdeen ended their 35-year wait for a Scottish Cup against Celtic on Saturday Credit: Alamy 3 A former Dons star who was working as a pundit for the game was spotted taking in the trophy lift 3 Andrew Considine watched his old side finally get over the line Credit: Kenny Ramsay Andrew Considine spent almost his entire professional career at Aberdeen, making his first-team debut in 2004/05 and only leaving to join St Johnstone in 2022. He cemented himself as a Dons hero with 484 appearances over the course of those 18 years. He was part of the League Cup-winning side of 2014, but never managed to lift the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie, losing out in the 2017 final to Celtic. He joined Saints just a year after their sensational double-winning season, but retired at the end of last campaign having never got his hands on the famous old trophy. But Considine finally got his moment to celebrate when his old side got over the line in Saturday's penalty shootout victory over the Hoops. The 38-year-old was at Hampden, working as a pundit for Premier Sports alongside former Celts stars Charlie Mulgrew and Neil Lennon. And new 'pitchside perspective' footage from Premier Sports has shown Considine standing right next to the Dons squad as they lifted the trophy in the Hampden stands. He can be seen videoing the trophy lift before turning the camera to get himself in shot, then putting his phone away to applaud the cup winners. Considine is also a cult hero for the Scottish national team, despite only making three appearances for his country. That's after old footage resurfaced when he was called up for the first time in 2020, showing the defender dancing in drag and singing Baccara's pop hit 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie' during his stag do in 2015. Aberdeen fans react to historic Scottish Cup win The song was subsequently adopted as one of the Tartan Army's anthems in the two Euros which Scotland have since qualified for. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
