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THE Shannon Airport Authority has moved to expand the airport’s €30 million terminal building to prepare for the end of the Shannon stopover.
The phased ending of the stopover will be complete by April of next year. The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is hoping that by then the air- port will have a competitive advan- tage by having in place a full Cus- toms and Border Protection Post.
As a result, the SAA has lodged plans with Clare County Council for a two-storey extension to the existing oomeepnireve
Planning documents lodged with the council state that “the proposed terminal extension is an integral part of Shannon Airport’s physical devel- opment to meet the significant chal- lenges that lay ahead for the airport and in particular the introduction of ‘open skies’ in April 2008.
“The design updates the existing terminal building in a sensitive man- ner, improving the external appear- ance of the older building, as well as the overall function of the terminal.”
The SAA’s consultants believe that the extension will lead to an improved passenger experience at Shannon.
In a statement, the SAA said yes- terday, “Management at Shannon Airport confirmed that the DAA are
currently examining the feasibility of upgrading the current US Immi- gration pre-inspection facility to a Full Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection Post at Shannon.
“Exploratory talks have been held between the DAA, Shannon Airport management, the Department of Transport and the CBP Organisation on the matter. As part of the feasibil- ity study, the airport confirms that they are seeking planning permis- sion to extend the terminal building and carry out alterations to existing sections of the main terminal build- bate
The statement said that “summer 2008 is the target date for the estab- lishment of this facility subject to approval”.
Explaining the significance of the move to put in place a customs facil- ity last month, the SAA’s Executive chairman, Pat Shanahan said, “This means that airlines can fly into any domestic terminal in the US and won’t have to go through the inter- national hubs. That is going to be a major bonus in Shannon and Shan- non would be first airport in Europe to have that facility
‘That is one of our tactics to try to sustain transatlantic traffic.”
A decision is due on the application during the summer.