EI321 From Iraq, joined Jul 2009, 0 posts, RR: 0 Posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1764 times:
Back in the 1980s & 1990s, Aeroflot had an agreement with the Irish government which allowed soviet aviation fuel to be stored at SNN, to allow refueling of Aeroflot aircraft on western bound long haul flights, required due to range limits with aircraft such as the IL62. There were direct Aeroflot flights from SNN to places such as Lima, Mexico city, Chicago, Miami and Havana. The refueling at SNN eventually ended a few years ago with the aqusition by SU of longer range types like the 763, 772 and IL96.
I am particularly interested in this topic but finding information on it is difficult. Does anybody have any more information or stories to share on the soviet connections with SNN ? Or perhaps some interesting articles?
Loisencroach From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 373 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1745 times:
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 3, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Yes, Aeroflot did fly through Shannon on western bound flights. I clearly remember taking a flight from SFO to SVO and our stop was in Shannon. As for the aircraft..I'm unable to comment, since it was many years ago, and I simply don't remember. But the stop over I remember clearly, since I got a Irish flute in the Duty Free shop.
OneSkyJet From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 74 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1616 times:
SU used to have a great nonstop service from IAD to SNN in the IL62. They had very reasonable fares which made it convenient and cheap to go play golf in Western Ireland over a long weekend.
Really enjoyed riding in the IL-62. Exceptionally smooth landings every time. I'll miss the distinctive whine of those engines. Won't miss the very stinky toilets, though.
Legacyins From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1837 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1584 times:
Quoting Aeroflot777 (Reply 3): I clearly remember taking a flight from SFO to SVO and our stop was in Shannon.
SU never operated their SFO service through SNN. The SFO routes went through Anchorage and later Seattle.
Jetset From Canada, joined Jun 2001, 349 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1525 times:
Aeroflot also had a fairly large operation at Gander and also had their own
fuel as well . Back in the late 80's early 90's Aeroflot had approx 35 flights
per week via Gander . Most were on the IL86 and a few with the IL62 .
The flight numbers I remember were 301/302 333/334 345/346 345B/346B
347/348 347B/348B 315/316 317/318 and a sked cargo run with the IL76
to JFK called 983/984 . All the IL86 westbound flights came from Shannon
and crew changed at Gander with the exception of SU315 to New York .
Gander was a very common place for people looking to defect to the west
and as many as 60 people from one flight would seek asylum in Gander , and
try and start a new life . People from countries all around the world would
jump ship at Gander with nothing in their possession but the clothes on their
backs . Thru the years Aeroflot was a big boost to the local economy of Gander and to this day are greatly missed .
RGDS/JETSET
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12335 posts, RR: 12 Reply 8, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1398 times:
When I flew JFK-SNN-JFK (on a DC-8 Transamerica Airlines charter seat) in June 1985, I noticed Aeroflot a/c at other gates at SNN. As deep into the 'Cold War' era, I found it shocking and commented that why the Ireland did business with 'those commies', especially as Communiumism was so against Christianity. Their response was that it was just business, provided jobs, income. These were flights that were comming from/to Havana, various places in Central America. On my return flight, I noticed passangers from those Aeroflot flights walking around the gate areas. I asked about them and was told that they did very little shopping in the duty free areas as had little money.
MIASkies From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 1335 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1388 times:
AEROFLOT use to fly to MIA via Shannon as well in the 80's and 90's
Oly720man From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 6188 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1293 times:
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 8): As deep into the 'Cold War' era, I found it shocking and commented that why the Ireland did business with 'those commies', especially as Communiumism was so against Christianity.
Interesting viewpoint. Would the similar be said today about airlines coming from countries that "sponsored" terrorism?
EI321 From Iraq, joined Jul 2009, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 1246 times:
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 8): When I flew JFK-SNN-JFK (on a DC-8 Transamerica Airlines charter seat) in June 1985, I noticed Aeroflot a/c at other gates at SNN. As deep into the 'Cold War' era, I found it shocking and commented that why the Ireland did business with 'those commies', especially as Communiumism was so against Christianity. Their response was that it was just business, provided jobs, income. These were flights that were comming from/to Havana, various places in Central America. On my return flight, I noticed passangers from those Aeroflot flights walking around the gate areas. I asked about them and was told that they did very little shopping in the duty free areas as had little money.
Thats an interesting point. Many people have a similar opinion on USAF/ARMY planes refueling at SNN en route to/from Iraq. SNN also makes a lot of its income from these flights. There have been several attacks by protestors on USAF planes in SNN.
BestWestern From Ireland, joined Sep 2000, 6433 posts, RR: 58 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 1196 times:
SNN was an empty white elephant airport, with excellent facilities. The cost of serving Aeroflot was basically zero, and since Aeroflot had little western currency at the time, the airline paid for its landing charges in Aviation Fuel given by the Russian Government.
The airport used this cheap fuel to then attract other carriers to stop-over in shannon.
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 8): commented that why the Ireland did business with 'those commies'
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