Aer Rianta has announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will route its trans-Atlantic operations, amounting to 120,000 transit passengers, through Shannon airport from next month, providing a £9 million (€11.4 million) annual boost. "This very welcome news for Aer Rianta-Shannon, achieved against vigorous competition from other European airports, will mean twelve extra Boeing 747 flights per week through Shannon, originating in Karachi and serving New York, Washington and Toronto," Aer Rianta stated.