Cullen critical of Shannon stopover

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has said the Shannon stopover is crippling Aer Lingus and the real threat to the future of Shannon is to come from Cork airport, as it will soon be launching transatlantic services.

The bilateral agreement with the US dictates that 50 per cent of flights to the US go through Shannon airport. Shannon currently has 44 per cent of the State's transatlantic business, with US passengers spending up to five times the amount spent by their European counterparts.

In response to questions from Fine Gael TD Pat Breen on the issue, Mr Cullen said the bilateral agreement was "crippling" Aer Lingus. He said: "Any change in Ireland-US arrangements will open up new destinations in the US for Aer Lingus, presenting new opportunities for Shannon. I am convinced that Shannon, with the right cost base for the airport and with the proper competitive environment, can maintain and grow its transatlantic business."