American Airlines' new Dublin-Chicago and Shannon-Boston services have met with immediate support from the Irish airfreight market. Most flights - which carry up to 15,000 kgs of cargo - have been departing full, since a few days after the start-up of services at the beginning of May.

American Airlines flight AA93 departs Dublin for Chicago daily at 12:35. Also daily is American's flight AA211 which leaves Shannon at 11:05. The new services now spearhead the airline's cargo offering for the Irish market, adding valuable direct capacity to American's existing 23 flights per day from the UK, which are accessible using IAM's nightly express road feeder services.

American's Irish cargo GSSA company joined forces with the airline to host a dinner at Roganstown Golf & Country Club, Swords to celebrate the successful launch of the new direct services. Over 50 freight agent staff joined VIP guest Mark Najarian (Vice President Cargo Sales and Marketing, American Airlines), Roger Samways (AA Sales Manager UK, Ireland and Netherlands) and Vernon Glover (Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy, Dublin), along with other American Airlines staff and IAM Directors and staff.

A prize draw was held for American Airlines tickets to Chicago or Boston; the lucky winners were Jim Egan (Jenkinson Freight), Nicola Gregan (Nightline) and Jacqueline Vaughan (Baxglobal).

Said IAM Managing Director Ian McCool, "It was a great evening, and our way of thanking all the agents for their instant support for the services. It's great to see yet another carrier adding to the direct cargo capacity from Ireland. The reduced transit times we can now offer will assist in keeping Irish industry competitive in the world trade arena."