Shannon Group’s CEO is calling for a further injection of government funding to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mary Considine has been appearing before the Dáil’s COVID-19 committee, where she has outlined what she described as the ‘devastating’ impact of the pandemic on their business.
In her opening remarks this morning, Mary Considine told the Committee that prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Group had been expecting a positive 2020
Outlining the extent of that crisis, Ms Considine stated that Shannon’s passenger numbers were down 96% between the beginning of the pandemic and the end of June.
Revenue is down over 60% – that’s a drop of around €47 million.
And even as operations return, somewhat, there are still significant issues.
Flights resumed at the start of July, but passenger numbers were down 88% in the opening period of this month, and visitor numbers at Bunratty and King John’s Castle are well back on last year.
It’s this backdrop which led Shannon Group to announce cost-cutting plans for Airport staff, including temporary lay-offs and pay cuts of 20% for most staff.
Mary Considine says these measures were difficult but necessary to protect jobs into the long term, and says they’re still needed even after the extension of the government’s wage subsidy scheme.
Shannon Group is calling for additional government support, on top of six million euro which was granted to it last month to help complete an upgrade of security equipment.
They’re seeking further funds for capital and liquidity measures, and while she welcomed the July Stimulus Package, Mary Considine also expressed disappointment that a commercial rates waiver has only been extended until Septemeber.
On Shannon Heritage sites, and their curtailed opening this year, she said more funding will also be needed to amend those plans.
The crisis at Shannon Airport has led to questions about Shannon Group itself, with the likes of SIPTU arguing that the Airport should be brought back under the umbrella of the DAA
This was put to Mary Considine in one brief, time-limited exchange, in which she defended the work and structure of Shannon Group.
