This article is from page 4 of the 2007-08-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
BUSINESS representatives meeting with Aer Lingus chief executive Der- mot Mannion last Friday remained bullish despite Mr Mannion’s insist- ence that the decision to transfer to Belfast would not be reversed.
Mr Mannion met with Government ministers, local TDs, councillors, members of the Shannon Airport Au- thority, representatives of IBEC and the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance. He was adamant that while he under- stood the concerns of people in the mid-west, Aer Lingus would be press-
ing ahead with the move to Belfast.
“We have gone into a tremendous amount of detail internally about how we Slice up the Heathrow slots. A considerable amount of time has been spent before we came to this difficult decision.”
Mr Mannion added, “The Govern- ment has said what the Government has said. It’s expressed its disappoint- ment to the decision.”
Solicitor and Atlantic Connectivity Alliance member, Michael Houlihan said the body presented a very strong case to Aer Lingus bosses.
He said, “They will have to reflect
on what they heard. They are under no illusions whatsoever that there will be challenges down the line, not only here but in the EU. The slots issue 1s something that will be seri- ously looked at by the EU, in relation to the manner in which they are dealt it. They are very seriously wrong and contrary to competition law.”
The Executive Chairman of Shan- non Airport, Pat Shanahan said he had a full and frank exchange of views with Mr Mannion.
‘We have been trying to engage Aer Lingus for some time on the econom- ics of their overall operations in Shan-
non. Assurances were, however, also given by Mr Mannion in relation to the continuation of Aer Lingus’ trans- atlantic services and we intend to find whatever means possible to make them profitable and sustainable in the Koyateai tou se eae
Following his own meeting with Dermot Mannion and John Sharman, the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance Chairman John Brassil said, ““The bat- tle to reverse the Aer Lingus decision to abandon their Shannon-Heathrow service is only beginning. We men- tioned to them that this commercial decision is fraught with mistakes.”