Former airline chief calls for end to airports split
The Government should end the “crazy” split between Dublin and Shannon airports imposed on Irish airlines, former Aer Lingus chief Willie Walsh said today.
Mr Walsh told a meeting of air industry officials at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin that an “open skies” policy needed to be implemented for the benefit of both airlines and passengers.
“Restrictions on the (US) gateways that the Irish carriers can use and the 50/50 Shannon and Dublin split restricts not only the airlines but the passengers as well.
“To move to open skies would greatly increase the number of destinations served and further competition,” he said.
Mr Walsh, who left Aer Lingus two weeks ago, told the meeting that while the company’s flights between Dublin and JFK, New York, made a profit in 10 out of 12 months in 2001, Routes from Shannon to JFK were loss-making for 10 months in the year.
“Airlines are being forced to generate profitability on Dublin routes to offset losses on the Shannon routes,” he said.
“I believe that the Irish Government should support a move to open skies, and support a move to open skies immediately.”
He said that it was very clear that there was a demand for air services into Shannon, predominantly from the east coast of the US, and that even with deregulation that demand would remain.
It was not the responsibility of airlines to stimulate regional development, he added.
Mr Walsh, who was chief executive of Aer Lingus, and two top management officers left the company in January, amid concerns over a potential conflict of interest.
After leaving the State airline, Mr Walsh is understood to be considering a number of offers in the aviation industry.
