SHANNON airport has long enjoyed the support and goodwill of the Mid West community but that confidence was taken to a whole new level this week with the establishment of the country’s first community support group for an airport.
The Friends Of Shannon Airport (FOSA) has lift-off following a recent meeting that saw it elect officials. It will now embark on setting up its operating structures and establishing a programme of activity aimed at supporting the airport as it continues on the growth path it set off on two years ago when it achieved independence.
The origins of the group date back to a meeting last year at the airport, which facilitated requests from people keen to see how they could support the airport and help build on the momentum of the airport’s positive start as an independent entity.
So far, members of the public from Limerick, Clare, Galway, Tipperary and Cork have expressed interest in getting involved in the group, illustrating the deep level of support that exists in the Shannon catchment area for the airport.
Shannon Group CEO Neil Pakey said that the enthusiasm of FOSA members and the sense of volunteerism was encouraging for all involved with the airport. “There is a really strong sense of community around Shannon Airport and a sense of belonging that stretches far and wide”.
As a precursor to the election of the committee recently, the group got off to a flying start in December when ten volunteers assisted with the airport’s Santa Flights programme.
Though independent of the airport, the aim of the new group, which will have a hot-desk at the airport to operate from when needed, is to develop deeper community involvement with Shannon.
Future activities are likely to include developing an Airport Ambassador’s programme to welcome and assist passengers on arrival and establishing a national school tours programme for the facility.
