BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/11/2007

Positive news for airport

THE restoration of the direct Shannon to Minsk air service has been welcomed by Chernobyl charity groups and business interests across the south.

The decision by Belavia, the national airline of Belarus, follows a move in August to suspend the service at the end of the summer schedule and it will see services resume from Shannon to Minsk on December 9.

Shannon Airport director Martin Moroney said the continuation of direct connectivity with Minsk would facilitate the excellent work of the charities set up to help Chernobyl children.

He said the development was a positive one for the airport as Belavia has also identified new opportunities for onward connectivity with other major cities in the region.

"We are particularly pleased that Belavia's review of the Shannon service has identified new opportunities for connecting traffic between Ire -land and the major cities of Moscow, Kiev and St Petersburg, as well as facilitating the traditional Chernobyl children's charities," Mr Moroney said.

"I also welcome Belavia's plans to operate additional charters over the forthcoming festive season and to grow the schedule for summer 2008," he added.

Belavia's Minsk-Shannon service will operate every Sunday from December 9, with timings arranged to link into connecting flights and a more frequent service will be introduced for the summer 2008 season.

Source:

http://www.the-kingdom.ie/news/story.asp?j=25488&cat=business