Probe launched as Shannon mistakenly referred to as 'Limerick' at British airport
Local TD to contact Gatwick Airport's chief executive
BOSSES at London Gatwick Airport have launched an investigation after a flight bound for Shannon on Sunday night was mistakenly referred to as heading for Limerick.
Departure boards across the southern terminal of the airport south of the British capital displayed the FR1193 flight at 9.35pm as destination Limerick.
In fact this flight, operated by budget carrier Ryanair, was headed to Shannon Airport, according to aviation data.
While Limerick is the closest major city to Shannon, the airport is actually located in Co Clare, and lies on the doorstep of Shannon Town.
Clare Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe - his party's spokesperson on aviation - said he will be writing to Gatwick Airport boss Stewart Wingate on this matter.
"Shannon deserves its proper name," he declared on a social media post.
Limerick Live contacted both Gatwick Airport and Ryanair for an explanation.
A spokesperson for Gatwick stated: "All flight information is provided by the airlines and one of the team is looking into it."
They suggested the query be directed to Ryanair itself.
A spokesperson for the budget carrier said: "Ryanair fly to Shannon Airport - this is very much visible on our website. Please direct your query to the airport as they manage the screens at the airport."
A plane is due to leave Gatwick at 5.05pm this Monday bound for Shannon.
As of just before 2pm this Monday, London Gatwick Airport's official website was still showing this flight as heading for Limerick.
This was highlighted on X, formerly Twitter by aviation journalist Pat Flynn, who wrote: "Check your atlas. There is no airport in Limerick. Maybe you meant Shannon Airport which is in another county."
In response, a member of Gatwick Airport's social media team wrote: "All flight information displayed on our website and flight information screens is provided by the airline's handling agent."
Ryanair operates a once-daily return service between Shannon and London Gatwick Airport at various times through the week.