There are fresh calls for an independent aviation authority to be established encompassing, Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports
It follows confirmation from Aer Lingus that their decision to close their base at this county’s airport won’t be reversed, with doubts now being expressed about its Shannon to Heathrow route beyond 2022.
Aer Lingus dealt another blow to Shannon Airport yesterday as they appeared to dash any hopes of reversing their decision to permanently close their cabin crew base at the regional airport.
CEO Lynne Embleton held firm on the airline’s move to close the base, citing the running costs as an impediment to restoring connectivity and was emphatic that any potential government funding that would be offered under the agreement to retain the base and key routes such as the Heathrow and North American slots, would not be acceptable to the airline.
Reacting to the company’s stance on the issue, Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley is now calling for an independent aviation authority to be set up, separate to the DAA, which would encompass Shannon, Cork and Dublin Airports.
The Mountshannon Senator says that Dublin Airport has reached its capacity and that an independent authority would allow for a focus on increasing passenger numbers at Shannon Airport.
Clare’s Independent TD is casting fresh doubts on the retention of key routes at Shannon Airport, following Aer Lingus’ appearance before the Transport Committee yesterday.
Deputy Michael McNamara believes the absence of a cabin crew base at Shannon Airport may endanger early morning and late evening flights to Heathrow that Aer Lingus traditionally service.
The Scariff Deputy believes that the failure of Aer Lingus CEO, Lynne Embleton to provide a solid commitment to the Heathrow route beyond the contracted period of 2022, is particularly worrying.
However, one Clare Government TD doesn’t believe the fight to retain the Aer Lingus base in Shannon is over.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey, is now calling on the government to use the leverage he says is available to them to broker a deal with the airline that would secure the retention of both the base and vital routes.
Aer Lingus boss, Lynne Embleton, confirmed that the airline were in talks with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to agree further funding – this being the State-controlled agency which has previously loaned them €150m.
While Deputy Carey has taken more hope from Aer Lingus’ commitments than others, he feels it’s vital they be serviced by a cabin crew based at Shannon Airport.
