This article is from page 14 of the 2013-09-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
SHANNON stands on the cusp of huge opportunity, the chief executive of the local chamber of commerce has said as passenger growth targets for traffic for Clare’s international airport look to be met at year’s end.
Kevin Thompstone was speaking at the chamber’s autumn lunch in the Inn at Dromoland on Thursday that was attended by 200 business executives in the Shannon region and addressed by new airport chief executive, Neil Pakey.
Pointing out that Shannon Airport is ultimately about making connections, between people, places and products, Mr Thompstone said, “Where there is connection there is opportunity; where there is opportunity, things happen, some planned, some unexpected; and where there is opportunity confidence grows, business develops and economies flourish.
“The development of new services from Shannon and the positive atmosphere and volume of people moving in, out and around the airport clearly demonstrate a new confidence and indicate that Shannon is developing and delivering opportunities. Shannon is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the development of a national aviation policy,” he added.
Referring to the Department of Transport’s recent call for inputs to the Integrated Irish Aviation Policy Issues Paper, Mr Thompstone said that Shannon Chamber’s submission focused on a number of areas most relevant to the Chamber mandate, notably: the importance of the Heathrow slots for Shannon connectivity; the need for European connectivity; the criticality of completing the motorway to Galway to open up the Shannon catchment area; the requirement to provide capital allowances for the construction of hangars and the creation of an aviation cluster at Shannon; manpower training support for MRO businesses; an even playing pitch when it comes to support for regional airports; cargo preclearance for Shannon; a trusted traveller programme particularly for the Asian market; and the abolition of the current travel tax.
In commenting on Shannon’s future development, Mr Thompstone referenced the impact other sectors such as engineering, ICT, financial services, medical devices, bio-pharma and logistics are having on Shannon and said he is encouraged that both the Shannon Airport Authority and the Shannon Group are fully aware of the multi-sectoral nature of the Shannon Free Zone.
“Shannon Chamber is delighted to note that Shannon will continue to have a business development team focussed on delivering further investment from existing companies and potential new companies in the Shannon Free Zone. We simply have to build on the legacy that the range of blue chip Irish and foreign-owned companies are creating in Shannon,” Mr Thompstone concluded.