Andrew Carey
SHANNON Airport is emerging from a period of challenge and change and rests on the cusp of opportunity.
That’s according to Shannon Chamber president, Kevin Thompstone who was speaking at the autumn lunch in the INN at Dromoland, Co Clare, this Thursday.
The Airport is ultimately about making connections between people, places and products and Mr Thompstone added “Where there is connection there is opportunity; where there is opportunity, things happen, some planned, some unexpected; and where there is opportunity confidence grows, business develops and economies flourish.
“The development of new services from Shannon and the positive atmosphere and volume of people moving in, out and around the airport clearly demonstrate a new confidence and indicate that Shannon is developing and delivering opportunities. Shannon is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the development of a national aviation policy,” he added.
Over 200 business executives from the region heard a key not address by Neil Pakey, CEO, Shannon Airport Authority who said that less politics and more actions is key to furthering the airport’s revival.
It was also highlighted that Shannon Chamber’s government policy submission focused on a number of areas to release growth and most notably the importance of the Heathrow slots for Shannon connectivity; the need for European connectivity; the criticality of completing the motorway to Galway to open up the Shannon catchment area; the requirement to provide capital allowances for the construction of hangars and the creation of an aviation cluster at Shannon; manpower training support for MRO businesses; an even playing pitch when it comes to support for regional airports; cargo preclearance for Shannon; a trusted traveller programme particularly for the Asian market; and the abolition of the current travel tax.
