CERTAINTY has been sought on the future of Shannon Airport following the appointment of the new DAA chairperson in April.
Speaking at the meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee of the Environment of Transport, County Limerick Deputy Patrick O’Donovan said that changes to the Airport Acts made in 2003 lefts Shannon in something of a limbo.
He suggested that the new DAA chair focus on building a strong relationship with tourism promotion agencies, especially those with responsibility for Shannon Airport.
“You don’t need to be an expert to see that Shannon Airport is getting under-used,” said the Deputy.
“Anyone who goes to the airport can see that, at best, the car park there is half full at any given time.
“This is a major piece of infrastructure to have on the west coast and it is unfortunately completely under-used”.
He said that, outside of Dublin, the west coast is the biggest attraction for tourists coming to Ireland, but that there is a disconnect between the agencies responsible for brining people into Ireland and those who are responsible for tourists, once they are in the country.
“For too long now the emphasis of the airport authority has been on Dublin, to the detriment of tourism in other regions.
“Along with agriculture, tourism is one of the industries which this Government has identified as a priority to raise revenue.
“However, its potential cannot be fully realised if the regions outside of the capital are neglected due to Airport Authority policy”.
