'Frank Discourse' Required On Shannon Airport's Future

Business & Finance - Tourism

Friday, 10 September 2010 17:26

Written by Noel Cotter

Reacting to the issues related to Ryanair’s announced flight cutbacks at Shannon Airport, Shannon Chamber President Ian Barrett, speaking on behalf of Shannon and Ennis Chambers, said that any discussion on the airport’s future direction and its ability to encourage airlines to use its facilities for the long term must move away from singling out issues such as landing charges or airport taxes.

“We need to collectively address the concerns that have been ongoing for many businesses operating in the region concerning the continuation of services at the airport,” he said.

“Charges are not unique to Shannon Airport but apply to all airports in the Republic of Ireland, so cannot be the sole cause of airlines’ non-commitment to Shannon. Blame games will do nothing to help Shannon. Every business has had to adjust to tackle the extraordinary times we find ourselves in today; the challenge now is for all parties involved in Shannon Airport’s future to have open and frank discourse on short, medium and long-term initiatives that can help consolidate the airport’s positioning and future. If the issues currently on the table as contributors to the loss of flights to and from Shannon are negatively impacting on Shannon, then they should come under the spotlight in such discourse.

“High load factors on the Shannon to Paris route would indicate that taxes are not the sole reason for the axing of routes. Careful analysis of all factors that encourage and discourage the use of the airport must be analysed, and quickly. Shannon Airport has a rich and vibrant past; it’s incumbent on us all to determine its future and to ensure that this vital infrastructural link is not slowly and painfully eroded,” added Mr Barrett.