DISAPPOINTMENT that just six of the 17 city councillors attended a special meeting called to discuss the emergency situation at Shannon Airport, has been voiced by Cllr Joe Leddin. Adamant that Shannon must be granted its own autonomy by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to operate as a free and independent airport, Mr Vaughan, of the Irish Hotel Federation, said that this may require an act of legislation.
“Shannon is ready to compete but the problem is that it is not being allowed to buy a tin of paint without a purchase order from Dublin”.
Fears were expressed for the airport going forward, especially in light of the severe cuts levelled by both Ryanair and Aer Lingus, and unease at Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) role in Shannon’s management.
“The fear is that the DAA will offer Aer Lingus a sweetheart deal to open new routes from its new Terminal Two, which could lead to the cessation of more Shannon services,” warned Mr Vaughan, who added: “Can Shannon airport be regionally owned, yet bring private equity in?
“We could create a bond scheme with low yielding returns, and if we can get this we can go to Government with a proposal.
“The biggest threat to Dublin Airport is a free and independent Shannon”.
Warning that any new business is likely to be hoovered up by Dublin’s Terminal Two, Cllr McLoughlin said the DAA’s intention is to create an airport capable of serving 48 million people,
The DAA was accused by Cllr Diarmuid Scully of sabotaging Shannon, while Cllr Leddin accused the region’s six Government representatives in the Dail of being more concerned about fixing potholes.
“There will be no progress unless they get off their behinds and approach the Government Departments for a free and independent Shannon, otherwise the airport will decline even further, with a debt-ridden DAA hoovering up business for its new t terminal,” said Cllr Leddin.
Pointing out that the collapse in passenger numbers by three million annually is as bad as the Dell closure, Cllr Diarmuid Scully said that up to 10,000 jobs have been affected by Shannon’s demise.
Limerick Travel owner, Tony Brazil told the meeting he would be willing to become an agent to market Shannon overseas and appoint other personnel overseas to do likewise
“We need to produce a plan for the airport and then decide what to do and how it can be managed and regionally owned – perhaps, we could bring private equity in – we want control of the airport going forward – we must develop routes out of Shannon. but the airport must go forward.
“Aer India is flying into Dublin, we don’t know if they have an interest in Shannon. Also, St Patrick’s Day brings huge business. Ryanair does not bring business into the region- we need US and European tourism. Ryanair is not the answer but we are at the mercy of Dublin. Ryanair was never going to stay the minute the airport at Faranfore increases charges, Ryanair will be gone from there.
“While O’Leary can be part of the solution he is not the answer to the solution, what we have to do is attract more airlines into the airport. We must have connectivity into New York, Philadelphia etc when the United States economy starts to grow again”.
