A Clare Fine Gael TD and General Election candidate says Shannon airport continues to go from strength to strength. 

Joe Carey's comments as negotiations continue between the Airport Authority and  French airline ASL with a view to operating a new transatlantic service. 

ASL is seeking US government approval to operate flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Providence, Rhode Island – this service would also stop a the MidWest Airport.

No decision has yet been made but Deputy Carey says it further of an indication of the importance of Shannon Airport to the region.