STUDENTS from St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon were given a taste for the high life at a sumptuous lunch in Dromoland Castle recently, along with advice that a career in the heights of aviation is well worth considering.
The school was one of four schools hosted by Shannon Chamber in Dromoland Castle Hotel, where the executive chairman of Emerald Airlines and Dublin Aerospace, Conor McCarthy, was keynote speaker, and the general counsel of High Ridge Aviation, John Ludden, was posing the questions.
The schools were joined by 170 other participants, including representative of the many different segments of aviation and business.
Mr McCarthy responded to questions on a wide range of topics such as the traits needed to be a successful aviation entrepreneur; his future plans for Emerald Airlines and Dublin Aerospace; sustainable aviation fuel and the industry’s carbon reduction commitments; and what aviation might look like in 100 years.
He said aviation is one of the most exciting industries in the world, requiring dedication, faith, and trust and, while there may be many challenges, it’s a sector that offers enormous potential to anyone with a passion and interest in it.
Commenting on his future plans and whether Shannon features in those plans, he described Shannon as “an amazing airport that has achieved so much, not just in terms of the airport but in the cluster of aviation businesses now operating from Shannon”.
Responding to a question on the cap on passengers at Dublin Airport and the ability of Shannon and Cork airports to absorb the passenger overflow, he said that it would be “an extremely short-sighted strategy to build an airport on the back of another airport’s inability to cope in the short-term”.
“Shannon has amazing strengths, with great tourism products and
experiences on its doorstep. It has the capacity to drive its own future and should focus on this to continue to build on its success.” he stated.
He said that while the company has no plans to fly out of
Shannon, should an opportunity arise in the future to consider a poorly served airport in the UK, it would not be ruled out.
Shannon Chamber president, Eoin Gain, said that the Chamber is equally passionate about aviation, particularly the role it can play in attaining balanced regional development in Ireland.
He noted Shannon Airports critical link to economic activity and growth in the Mid West, and said the Chamber will “continue to call on the government to undertake a review of national aviation policy, and to permanently include Shannon Airport in the Regional Airports Programme”.
“This can be done by raising the threshold to three million passengers, as is permitted under EU legislation. Supporting a regional airport, such as Shannon, would enable it to invest in infrastructure and technology that align with its climate change targets, ensuring that growth in air travel in the regions is sustainable,” he stated.
