This article is from page 12 of the 2012-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
PLACING the control of Shannon in the hands of people at local level is the best way forward for the airport, the local chamber of commerce has said in reaction to the publication of Booz and Company report.
However, that control must be handed over with the debts at the airport – currently standing at around € 100m – cleared by the Government as Shannon gears up for a new future where cargo traffic is a key driver in boosting lagging fortunes.
“The scenario whereby Shannon moves to a concessionaire model which would see the airport operated by a third party specialist airport operator giving a stewardship role to the local authorities in Clare and Limerick, to local commercial interests and to Shannon Development in a holding company, offers the most potential for Shannon’s future development,” Shannon Chamber of Commerce president, Damian Gleeson.
“It places decision making for the airport’s future at a local level.
As long as this proposed autonomous structure comes without debt, Shannon could look forward to a new future, whereby every avenue for its development could be examined for its innovativeness and its ability to add value, traffic and revenue to Shannon. Harnessing the support of all stakeholders in the Mid-West would lead to energised thinking and a new impetus for taking the airport in a new direction.
“Cutting ties from a national structure is going to be challenging. Harnessing the airport’s viability will require support from all stakeholders in the mid-west. However, Shannon has a history of innovativeness and for facing adversity with courage and determination,” added Mr Gleeson.