New Shannon-Heathrow link not imminent
It will be several weeks before a potential deal to reinstate the Shannon-Heathrow link can be tabled, it was revealed tonight.
Management at the Mid-West airport have contacted a number of airlines, including bmi and British Airways, about replacing Aer Lingus after it controversially axed the service in favour of a new Belfast base.
But Pat Shanahan, Shannon Airport Authority chairman, insisted it was premature to suggest a new deal was on the cards.
“We are discussing a route to Heathrow with a number of different airlines but it is early days. We are talking to bmi and others,” he said.
“We have not even come close to discussing a deal and we will be quite a number of weeks away from coming to a conclusion on that.”
British airline bmi distanced itself from claims a potential new Heathrow deal was being discussed.
Even though bosses at Shannon Airport confirmed there had been contact, a spokesman for bmi said the possibility of a new deal for the Mid-West was speculation.
The spokesman also declined to comment on whether exploratory talks had taken place.
“bmi is aware of speculation linking the airline to the Shannon – London Heathrow route. The airline, which is fully committed to the Irish marketplace, does however have a policy of not commenting on potential route development,” the spokesman said.
Earlier this month Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive, said the airline was unlikely to replace Aer Lingus in Shannon but would be open to considering services from the Mid-West airport if incentives were offered.
Mr Shanahan spent the day in Brussels with airport management on a fact-finding mission examining rules around funding for regional airports.
The talks with European Union transport and competition officials centred on crucial route support schemes and incentives Shannon could offer any airline willing to reinstate the Heathrow link.
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus is likely to agree to holding an extraordinary general meeting following a request from major shareholder and rival Ryanair.
If the airline refused Michael O’Leary’s low-cost carrier could attempt to convene an EGM under company law.
