Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator believes that failure by the Government to engage with Aer Lingus in an effort to maintain it’s Shannon Airport base would be “absolutely insane”.
More than 80 people are to be made redundant on July 1st, following the decision by the airline to permanently close its Midwest base.
There was widespread shock when Aer Lingus announced plans to permanently close it’s Shannon base.
Staff were informed yesterday that 81 cabin crew will be offered redundancy or a transfer, while a further 45 ground staff will remain laid off.
Unions have criticised the manner in which employees’ learned of the shock decision, saying the sudden nature of the move has worsened its impact on employees.
Head of Forsa’s Services and Enterprises Division, Ashley Connolly says they’ll continue to engage with the airline to ensure that those who want to continue working can do so.
But she insists that further clarity is needed from the company on the future of services out of the Midwest airport.
In a letter to the Tánaiste, Aer Lingus says the Shannon base has been ‘inefficient and out of line with market for a significant period of time’.
But Clare’s Fine Gael TD Joe Carey doesn’t accept this, citing the airlines planned to expand passenger numbers by 20% prior to the pandemic taking hold.
The Clarecastle Deputy insists Aer Lingus’ decision is short-sighted.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator believes that Mandatory Hotel Quarantine played a part in Aer Lingus’s decision to close the base.
Senator Timmy Dooey says while it’s safe to assume that some service will still operate from there, step needs to be taken now to protect Shannon Airport.
Speaking in the Dail in the past few minutes, the Taosieach Micheal Martin insists the government will work with Shannon Airport and its employees following the decision.
He says the government is determined to reopen the aviation sector.
