The Taoiseach is pledging to ensure Shannon Airport is adequately supported in the coming months as the Government prepares to unveil its plans to return to international travel.
It comes as there are growing calls in this region for a more ‘proactive’ approach from the Cabinet table, along with supports to be considered for airlines rather than the airport itself.
An announcement on the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions is anticipated tomorrow evening, with all eyes in the tourism sector in this county on a specific plan for a return to the international travel and for the overall aviation industry.
The EU’s digital green certificate is set to be up and running by July 1st, with sources hopeful that it will be fully adopted here by the end of that month or the beginning of August.
Both an aviation plan and the digital cert are seen as key for Shannon Airport, as negotiations with Aer Lingus on its decision to permanently close its Midwest cabin crew base continue.
Ryanair, meanwhile, has told Clare FM that they are ‘delighted’ to be returning to work in Shannon for its 2021 summer schedule on June 1st.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told Clare Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey in the Dail that supports for Shannon continue to be thrashed out.
However, a Cabin Services Manager at Shannon Airport says continued financial support of the facility directly by government will not attract airlines to the Midwest region – or make them stay here.
Gerry Clarke has been addressing to the Oireachtas Transport Committee, which includes several Clare representatives, amid the fallout from Aer Lingus’ decision to make its cabin crew here redundant from July.
He believes the State needs to consider subsidising airlines to fly here rather than providing direct supports to airports, as has been promised by Government.
Meanwhile, a former Clare government minister says the current administration have been reactive in some respects to ensuring Shannon emerges intact post-pandemic.
Former Minister of Defence Tony Killeen, who served as a Fianna Fail TD for this county for nearly 20 years, says a long term strategy for the region that incorporates Shannon, rather than short term supports, is needed.
Aer Lingus staff based at Shannon Airport say they’re fearful any post-pandemic recovery of the aviation sector, however soon it does eventually happen, will come ‘too late’ to save their jobs.
Cabin Services Manager at Shannon, Mary Mulholland, believes there’s been a short-sighted approach from government since the airline’s announcement last week.
