THE reported proposed additional commitments by IAG to the Irish government regarding their bid on Aer Lingus, does not fundamentally alter business concerns over any potential loss of connectivity at Ireland’s three national airports, according to a regional economist.
Limerick Chamber Interim CEO Dr Órlaith Borthwick said that “as the largest business representative organisation in the Mid West region, Limerick Chamber has concerns over the potential risk to our members of any reduction in the levels of connectivity that our region has to both Heathrow and North America.
“The reported additional commitments that IAG issued this week do not fundamentally alter our concerns toward achieving balanced regional development and ensuring globally connected regions”.
According to Dr Borthwick, “assurances that the Heathrow slots will not be sold does not guarantee the frequency of routes to Ireland’s Airports, particularly at Shannon; and a five year guarantee is far too short a timeframe to provide future connectivity certainty which our members throughout the Limerick region require.
“Our position still stands that government cannot sell their 25.1 per cent share of Aer Lingus to IAG at this time; the potential risks outweigh any reward” concluded Dr Borthwick.
