Govt makes pledge over new Heathrow link
The Government tonight pledged to do everything in its power to restore alternative Heathrow Airport services to the Mid-West region.
Last month’s decision by Aer Lingus to transfer its routes from Shannon to Belfast dominated the first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess.
Business and tourism groups demanding a u-turn by the privatised airline today welcomed a pledge by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to work to restore Heathrow air links as soon as possible.
Mr Dempsey said: “The importance of continued connectivity from the Mid-West to as many international destinations as possible is recognised by Government.
“The Government will pursue all means possible to maintain that connectivity.”
Mr Dempsey didn’t rule out the possibility of state aid to lure airlines to resume the Shannon-Heathrow services.
“There are very limited opportunities for any type of State assistance on a successful and commercially profitable route. But that is one of the options we will explore,” he added.
The Atlantic Connectivity Alliance said the Government seemed to be finally realising the importance of the Heathrow links which have so far put €113m worth of local tourism projects at risk.
“Our preference is for Aer Lingus to continue operating this historically successful route but our number one objective at the moment is to ensure we retain this vital connectivity to international markets, which is provided by no other airport hub,” said chairman John Brassil.
“The Atlantic Connectivity Alliance, however, wishes to make it clear to Government that we are maintaining our campaign across all strands and there will be absolutely no let-up in that regard as there is simply too much at stake.”
Meanwhile Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny will travel to Shannon on Friday to meet local groups including the Shannon Airport Authority and the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance.
A Sinn Féin delegation led by party TD Caoimhghin O Caolain today met with Impact union representatives in Leinster House and will also hold talks with the Shannon Action Group tomorrow.
Labour has tabled a Private Members Motion which it hopes will be debated after the Dáil resumes on September 26.
Mid-West TD Jan O’Sullivan accused the Government of failing to protect business and tourism interests in the region.
“There is no clear reason why the Government continues to hold on to a 25.4% stake in Aer Lingus if they can’t use this leverage to act in the national interests by protecting the Shannon-Heathrow service.
“When the airline was floated, a move that Labour opposed, the Government claimed that holding on to such a stake would enable them to offer protection to services such as the Shannon-Heathrow route. Some protection!”
Earlier, Mr Dempsey outlined the background to the decision and gave a report to Cabinet colleagues on the issue as about 30 protesters picketed outside.
A Government spokesman said that ministers Martin Cullen, Seamus Brennan, Mary Hanafin and Mary Coughlan were unable to be present at the meeting in Government Buildings.
The Government called on the special inter-departmental group to conclude its report on the impact of the Aer Lingus decision in terms of tourism, business and regional development.
The protest group outside Government Buildings included the mayors of Clare and Limerick and councillors from several political parties including Fianna Fáil.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey repeated demands for the Dáil to be recalled to discuss the issue.
He said that executives from Shannon firm Element Six travel regularly to Hong Kong but the journey will now take them one and a half days longer because the Shannon-Heathrow service has been axed.
“A total of 49 other world cities including Beijing, Sao Paulo and Cape Town are also cut off from Shannon,” he added.
Mr Carey also said he regretted today’s decision by Belorussian national airline Belavia to end its weekly winter service between Shannon and Minsk in October.
