Clare’s Fine Gael TD says Aer Lingus WILL receive government support that will see it continue to fly its transatlantic routes from Shannon Airport.
Deputy Joe Carey’s comments come in spite of significant concern about the potential impact of a move by Aer Lingus to withdraw services from Shannon.
There has been widespread concern since it emerged Aer Lingus may be considering moving two of its Airbus aircraft from Shannon to bases in the UK, which are normally used to fly from New York to Boston here.
The airline has not denied the reports, declining to comment when contacted by Clare FM and other media outlets.
Should the move become reality, it would be a further blow for Shannon on an already difficult year, but it would also be severely damaging for business and tourism locally.
However, speaking today on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, Clarecastle Fine Gael TD Joe Carey stated categorically that the flights will not be pulled.
A call to support regional airports, such as Shannon, was included in the report of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery, which was published in July.
The government is now being pushed to enact the recommendations of that report, and to examine ways in which the aviation sector can be opened.
Sean Lally, of the Hotel Woodstock in Ennis, says the government now needs to be proactive.
