The Chair of a cross-party Committee on Shannon Airport is warning that Ryanair’s threats to pull out of Shannon for the winter shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The airline informed staff yesterday that it could temporarily close its bases at Shannon and Cork Airports from next month, unless there is a substantial change of the government’s aviation policy.
Clarecastle Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says more must be done to protect the industry, and that it should have been done already.
There’s mounting pressure on the Government to avoid another major blow to Shannon Airport.
Ryanair yesterday informed staff that the airline will close its bases at Shannon and Cork from October until March, if the Government doesn’t relax the restrictions on foreign travel.
The move would affect 130 staff across both airports, who would be put on unpaid leave for six months.
Founder of Aer Arann Pádraig Ó Céidigh insists that Ryanair isn’t bluffing, but warns that the likes of Shannon are also struggling.
The development has led to yet more calls from Shannon Airport Management for the urgent implementation of the Aviation Task Force recommendations, including from Shannon Group.
It says all of its services are crucial to the region’s economy, and that any reduction would have a major detrimental impact.
The Chair of a cross party group of Oireachtas members admits the Government could have done more to protect the aviation industry here.
Clarecastle Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says the EU Safe Travel Policy should have been adapted in this country and that a number of measures should be considered by the Government.
The Government is due to review the green list of ten countries next Monday and a member of the Clare Tourism Task Force is calling for common sense to prevail.
Owner of Durty Nelly’s in Bunratty, Maurice Walsh says that with the tourism season now over, the country must be opened up to EU business.
