This article is from page 10 of the 2013-10-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
INDEPENDENCE has been the key in sparking a huge upturn in the fortunes of Shannon Airport over the past year, with the freedom of being allowed to chart its own future ensuring that it is “first out of the blocks” when it comes to attracting new business.
That was the message sounded out by airport chairperson Rose Hynes and chief executive Neil Pakey on Thursday last as Ryanair announced details of its 2014 operation that will see budget airling operate 18 routes out of Shannon.
“It demonstrates the benefits of Shannon being an independent airport,” said Neil Pakey. “The focus on route development is evident, and decisions are being made decisively and speedily.
“The new routes will increase both inbound and outbound footfall and revenue to the airport and the region; Irish leisure travellers will benefit from greater destination choice, while the business traveller, particularly at sub-supply level, can access new markets in Central and Eastern Europe,” he added.
“I thought that Shannon had the potential to do this all along,” said Rose Hynes.
“We said it in the Task Force Report. We are doing exactly what we said we would be doing; we said we would deal with passengers as a priority and we are doing that.
“We are doing exactly everything we said we’d do and we are doing it on time as I see it. We were in recovery mode, but we are now in growth mode as I see it. We have stablised the airport and are now in growth.
“We are first out of the blocks to avail of Ryanair’s response to the Government. This is a major boost to the passenger numbers in Shannon, but not alone that it is also a major boost to business and tourism interests in the region,” she added.
“The airport is now free to set its own price and its own business plan and that’s hugely important,” said Michael Cawley.
“We pulled back from Shannon before because Dublin changed the rules. Dublin increased our price by seven and a half times.
“I don’t expect that type of interference again. This is an independent board. Ryanair is in the business of growing airline passengers and we want to do it. Shannon’s destiny is in the hands of people locally and that is critically important. It wasn’t in the previous time,” he added.
“We have a very good relationship with Ryanair and we intend to develop that,” continued Rose Hynes. “We intend to collaborate with all the stakeholders in the region. This brings to 18 the number of Ryanair destinations from Shannon – that’s significant. We want to collaborate with our stakeholders to make those routes a success,” she added.