THE Government is to separate Shannon Airport from the DAA and bring it together with Shannon Development into a single entity.
Making the announcement Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said it is a significant step in developing the aviation sector in Ireland and securing the future of Shannon Airport. He said the Airport will begin its new era “debt free”, and confirmed the airport is to be removed from DAA control.
Commenting on the plan, the chairman of the American Chamber Mid West Region, Barry O’Sullivan said:
“The opportunity which has been presented to the Airport and the region must not be squandered.” All interests must now act together to ensure that Shannon survives.”
He went on to say, “Shannon Airport enhances the country’s international connectivity and is a vital component to the Mid-West and West of Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for Foreign Direct Investment”. “There are over 150 major multinationals in these regions providing valuable employment to almost 25,000 people. It has been clear for a number of years now that the operating structure of Shannon Airport needed to be addressed. The decision to allow the new entity to be debt free is a significant vote of confidence by the Government in the future of Shannon Airport and its importance to the entire western seaboard.”
