News
Kerry company helps over 10,000 passengers travel smoothly
Kerry company SafeScore headquartered in the RDI Hub in Killorglin, has launched an exciting new partnership with a mainland European hub, Ljubljana International Airport, of the Fraport group.
Slovenia’s flagship airport is putting their passenger experience first by ensuring their easy access to clear and useful travel information. Their recent partnership with Irish based travel data company, SafeScore, allows them to keep travellers up-to-date and prepared for their journey.
Accessed via a widget on Ljubljana International’s website, SafeScore offers users everything from testing requirements to vaccine brand acceptance, all condensed into bite-sized paragraphs. This feature, allowing passengers to access information via their phones, laptops, or tablets, has already been used by over 10,000 visitors, and that number is growing daily.
Frustrations and delays have become standard scenes witnessed in airports around the world. Heathrow famously experienced ‘hours-long’ queues, further exacerbated by a staff shortage thanks to self-isolation requirements. Complicated documentation requirements add to queue-waiting times, as passengers arrive under-prepared, some have bought and paid for the wrong COVID test, and are denied boarding, while others are faced with last minute quarantine costs they hadn’t anticipated. In Portugal alone, over 2,500 passengers, and 41 airlines were fined for failing to meet the local PCR testing requirements over December and January.
Now, Ljubljana Airport is changing this narrative, and the positive passenger experience reflects this. Speaking about the project, Monika Jelačič, communications expert and the head of the project at the airport said “this is exactly what our passengers need, personalised, simple explanations of the travel restrictions".
"Other airports are simply providing a link to a Government website, but this isn’t very helpful. We’ve gone the extra mile with SafeScore and are very pleased with the results."
SafeScore’s CEO, Nicholas Gorman added that “Ljubljana airport is extremely progressive".
"They are the first airport on mainland Europe to take this approach and the response has been incredible. We expect fewer passengers to be denied boarding at the airport in the coming months, shorter queues, happier passengers and cost-savings by freeing up airport staff capacity. We’ve solved a very complex problem and personalised it for Ljubljana.”
The travel and tourism industry has faced a massive loss of jobs, and revenue during the pandemic, an estimated 62 million in 2020 alone, according to the WTTC. Changing travel rules and requirements exacerbate the tenuous situation, and confusing passengers does little to re-ignite travel enthusiasm.
SafeScore and Ljubljana airport are working to alleviate these struggles.
“By putting our customers at the heart of everything we do, we are doing our part to restore confidence in travel as soon as possible. Other airports offer food delivery, waterfalls, expansive duty free options and other great experiences. We begin looking after our customers before they even arrive," Jelačič said.
This new partnership marks SafeScore’s second in Europe, as Kerry International Airport launched its SafeScore Travel widget in October of 2021.
A special commemoration took place at Fitzgerald Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of the sudden passing of former Dr Crokes player, officer, and selector Tim (Timmy) Keogh.
All-Ireland winning Kerry and Dr Crokes manager Pat O’Shea unveiled a memorial plaque in honour of Mr Keogh, who died suddenly at the stadium on 24 May 1976 while watching the East Kerry Under-12 final between Dr Crokes and Legion.
Pat O’Shea, who played in that fixture as a nine-year-old, delivered a moving address reflecting on the tragedy and his memories of Killarney half a century ago. He described Mr Keogh as a dedicated family and community man who led the way for the Dr Crokes club.
O’Shea recalled how the match was halted and the young players were brought into the dressing rooms, leaving an indelible mark on the town. He also paid tribute to Mr Keogh’s late wife, Kathleen, and noted the bittersweet memory of neighbours and Legion icons Weeshie Fogarty and Johnny Culloty rushing to his aid on the sideline.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Eamonn Keogh detailed his father’s extensive contribution to the black and amber. Timmy Keogh served as club treasurer through the 1950s and 1960s alongside Donie Sheahan and Michael O’Connor, and was a selector for the famous Dr Crokes senior team that won seven consecutive O’Donoghue Cups between 1956 and 1962.
Eamonn thanked Fitzgerald Stadium Chairman Der Brosnan and his committee for permission to erect the monument. He welcomed members of the Keogh, Fogarty, Culloty, and Randles families, alongside several players from the 1976 under-12 panel and MC Denis Coleman.
Eamonn paid tribute to Pat O’Shea’s legendary status in the GAA, noting he remains one of only five managers to win both an All-Ireland senior inter-county championship and a senior club title.
Fr Tom Looney spoke of receiving the tragic news via a letter from his mother while serving in Peru 50 years ago, praising Mr Keogh’s legacy with Dr Crokes and local employer Hilliards. Fr Tom performed a blessing alongside Franciscan Friary Guardian Br Pat Lynch and Fr Billy Hoyne.
The commemoration concluded with a musical performance of ‘Buachaill ón Éirne’ and ‘The Parting Glass’ by Timmy’s son, Don Keogh, on concertina, and his cousin, Máire Breathnach, on guitar.
The large attendance included Mayor of Killarney Martin Grady, Kerry GAA Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan, East Kerry Board officials Dermot O’Connor and Noel Kennedy, Dr Crokes President Jackie Looney, Chairman Eoin Brosnan, and Juvenile Chairman David Byrne.
Two young local girls showed great business initiative on Saturday ahead of the Kerry v Donegal match at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Erin McSweeney and Jessie Doolin set up a sweet stall outside a house on Lewis Road, catching the thousands of football fans walking towards the grounds.
The enterprising pair did a busy trade selling soft drinks, sweets, and chocolates to the passing crowds before throw-in.
Their match-day venture also caught the attention of the national sports media, with a photograph of the girls at their stall captured by Sportsfile photographer Stephen McCarthy ahead of the game.
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