A draft agreement reached yesterday between the European Union and the United States opens up the prospect of restrictions on transatlantic flights between Ireland and the US being lifted completely, writes Ciarán Hancock
This would allow Aer Lingus and other airlines to operate routes from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to an unlimited number of cities in the US. But the deal would also see the phasing-out of the Shannon stopover.
The Open Skies deal will be put before EU transport ministers at a meeting in Brussels on March 22nd and needs a unanimous Yes vote for it to be ratified.
It is hoped a deal can be signed at an EU-US summit to be held in Washington on April 30th.
The agreement, which was announced yesterday by EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot, was welcomed by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen. Mr Cullen said it was a "good day" for Irish aviation, tourism and the economy. "I am committed to increasing air services linking Ireland to key business and tourism sectors and this draft agreement offers new opportunities to Irish airports and Aer Lingus."
Aer Lingus is currently limited to serving four cities in the US. It flies to New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Under a transitional deal negotiated by Mr Cullen in November 2005, Aer Lingus could fly to three more cities initially, with unlimited access to the entire American market once Open Skies started next year.
Aer Lingus is due to receive two new long-haul A330 Airbus aircraft in May and June. The airline wants to use them on new routes to the US, possibly San Francisco, Florida and Washington DC.