The Government is being called on to set up a new authority to oversee Shannon and Cork Airports.
It comes after the Transport Minister has poured cold water over any prospect of Shannon Airport returning to the control of daa.
Minister Eamon Ryan has acknowledged the problems faces by both Airports following a fall-off in passenger numbers, and stressed their strategic importance to the State.
During a Dáil debate on Transport last night, a number of Midwest representatives highlighted the urgent need for supports to be put in place for Shannon Airport.
Among them, Clare TD Cathal Crowe, who said Shannon is in a full state of crisis, which has deepened since February and March this year.
The Fianna Fáil Deputy warned that there’s little hope of the aviation sector improving sufficiently for a bounce back in the autumn and winter months.
Michael McNamara called on the government to loosen restrictions around international travel, while Clare’s Sinn Féin TD has called for COVID testing at airports.
Violet Anne Wynne also wants the Government to work towards re-opening key routes which would maintain business links in the mid-west region.
The Transport Minister has acknowledged the “acute” problems at both Shannon and Cork, after what he called a “dramatic” fall-off in traffic.
Minister Eamon Ryan added that there’s a “critical” and “strategic” imperative that both airports retain their international access.
On just HOW to fix those issues, some have suggested that Shannon revert under the DAA umbrella but the Minister Ryan appeared to rule out such a move
Earlier this week, a similar call for Shannon to come back under DAA control was made at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council, though the motion failed to pass.
Sixmilebridge Councillor PJ Ryan is among those against such a move, saying that funding to promote Shannon, as well as a change in aviation policy is instead urgently needed.
The Independent Councillor believes that a new authority set up by the Government to control both Shannon and Cork is not beyond the realm of possibility.
