A Clare Senator has told the Dáil’s Transport Committee that Shannon Airport’s survival is in question.
The hearing on aviation has also heard from Shannon Group, who have outlined how group revenue is down by €1.3m each and every week since March.
The meeting is also being attended by Ministers Eamon Ryan and Hildegarde Naughten.
This hearing is focusing on issues affecting the wider aviation industry, with some of the discussions focused on Shanon Airport, including this stark assessment of its health by Senator Timmy Dooley.
Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine is telling the Committee today that, like airports globally, Shannon has witnessed an almost total collapse in traffic, connectivity and revenues.
Passenger numbers were down 91% last month alone, and a decline of 80% in passenger numbers for the year is expected.
Group revenue is expected to be down by 60% by year end, with a fall-off of €1.3 million per week since March.
Mary Considine also says Ryanair’s proposal to close it’s Shannon and Cork bases is extremely worrying, and is appealing for the Government to take urgent action.
Deputies Cathal Crowe and Joe Carey have also raised Shannon’s case during today’s meeting, echoing those urgent calls for support.
There were questions, too, about the EU’s traffic light system for international travel, which is due to be agreed next week.
Minister Ryan warned that elements will fall under the control of member states, and warned that there are still mixed views on the EU approach to restoring connectivity.
This cautionary note on the European wide framework will be met with dismay from within the industry.
Ryanair warned that tens of thousands of jobs will be put at risk if the government fails to fully adapt the EU’s traffic light system.
CEO Eddie Wilson again criticised government policies to date
On testing, Shannon says it’s working closely with the Department of Transport on a pre-departure regime for passengers travelling from high-risk countries, adding that it supports industry calls for such a multi-national regime.
The hearing continues.
