Aer Lingus say any conditions attached to a government bailout that would involve retaining its Shannon cabin crew base would not be acceptable to the airline.
Its CEO Lynne Embleton has told the Oireachtas Transport Committee the decision does not reflect a strategic intent to retreat from the regional airport – with one Clare representative accusing the company of taking the taxpayer ‘for a ride’.
The Oireachtas Transport Committee heard from Aer Lingus that their decision to permanently close their cabin crew base at Shannon Airport will not be reversed.
CEO of the airline, Lynne Embleton outlined to the committee that Aer Lingus has been hemorrhaging money since the onset of the pandemic and continues to lose over one million euro daily despite government supports.
The airline is reported to be seeking a €150m bail-out from the government.
This has been met with widespread calls from local representatives and Oireachtas members to come with stipulations- including the retention of the cabin crew base at Shannon and the retention of its Heathrow routes beyond the contracted period of September 2022 – if the money were to be granted.
However, Ms. Embleton has told the committee this morning that any conditionality to government funding would not be acceptable to the airline.
The CEO says that the cost of keeping the base is an impediment to restoring connectivity.
However, Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe feels the airline has exploited the pandemic as an opportunity to resolve what he says are ongoing industrial relations issues there.
The failure to reverse the decision to close the Shannon base leaves up to 126 jobs in doubt, with a review of ground handling requirements at the airport also taking place.
Speaking at the meeting this morning, the Meelick-deputy, who’s also his party’s spokesperson on aviation, hit out at Aer Lingus and believes the company are taking the Irish taxpayer ‘for a ride’…
Meanwhile, local Fine Gael Cllr Joe Cooney is calling for Clare’s Oireachtas representatives to work harder to keep the spotlight on the county’s airport.
Following a special meeting three weeks ago between Clare County Councillors and this county’s Oireachtas representatives, correspondence was sent to both the Taoiseach Micheal Martin and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar requesting an urgent meeting regarding Aer Lingus’ decision to close it’s cabin crew base at Shannon airport.
At yesterday’s council meeting, it was revealed that no response was received from either.
Cllr Cooney is calling for Clare’s TD’s and Senators to put pressure on the government as another request to meet the three main party leaders on the matter is set to be issued.
