Carrier of US troops to stop using Shannon

One of the largest commercial carriers of US troops through Shannon Airport has informed Aer Rianta it will not use the facility for the immediate future.

World Airways told the airport operators it planned to route additional military traffic through Frankfurt because its staff there were underutilised due to the loss of two contracts at the German airport.

World Airways declined to comment but Aer Rianta said it had been told the decision was not related to security considerations. "They stressed it wasn't security", a spokesman said.

Earlier this week it was revealed the airline had informed Aer Rianta it would be routing its next 17 flights through Frankfurt instead of Shannon.

While the news broke after last Monday's attack on a US navy cargo aircraft by anti-war campaigners, Aer Rianta said it had been informed of the decision before this incident.

Following Monday's attack, armed Defence Force troops were deployed to Shannon to provide support to gardaí in patrolling the area.

The move came as campaigners decided to end their peace camp outside the airport.

Criticising the attack this week, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said refuelling of military and civilian aircraft provided 40 per cent of Shannon's revenues.

World Airways was the second largest commercial carrier of troops through Shannon last month, operating 64 flights through the airport, carrying an estimated 8,000 military personnel.

A further 10,000 troops were transported through Shannon last month by US-based carriers American Trans Air, Miami Air International and North American Airways.