Statement on new governance model for Shannon Airport

“I welcome any initiative which would provide better governance and a stronger business model for Shannon Airport. Currently, the airport is not best served by the management model exercised by the DAA. Any proposed initiative needs, in my view, to be independent of all other interests with a singular focus on promoting the airport, with the clear objective of a significantly greater number of  passengers using the facility from an increased number of destinations.

This necessary independence does not lessen the need for strong support from other local agencies such as Shannon Development, The Shannon/Foynes Port Company and others. This would be a welcome change from what we have seen over the last number of years, where the airport has veered from stagnation to terminal decline. Any new structures will need to have adequate resources and strong political and financial support from Government, a notable change from the policy pursued by Fianna Fáil Governments over the last two decades.

The initial major challenge for any new Airport Authority would be to put in place a five year plan with realistic growth expectations. It would also need to engage positively with all current carriers who utilise the airport, including Ryanair. Any European airport would welcome Ryanair to their facility, yet time and time again the airline says is has been hindered in its development at Shannon because
of Government/DAA policy.

The challenge for any incoming Governmmy view, to be independent of all other interests with a singular focus on promoting the airport, with the clear objective of a significantly greater number of  passengers using the facility from an increased number of destinations.

This necessary independence does not lessen the need for strong support from other local agencies such as Shannon Development, The Shannon/Foynes Port Company and others. This would be a welcome change from what we have seen over the last number of years, where the airport has veered from stagnation to terminal decline. Any new structures will need to have adequate resources and strong political and financial support from Government, a notable change from the policy pursued by Fianna Fáil Governments over the last two decades.

The initial major challenge for any new Airport Authority would be to put in place a five year plan with reali