All the indicators point to a much better future for Shannon Airport, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, said last night.
Addressing a Fianna Fail function in Limerick, the Minister said Shannon was expected to handle 2.2 million passengers this year, an increase of almost 50 per cent since 1995.
Passenger traffic was significantly up and numbers this year alone were 22 per cent up on last year, she said.
The Minister added that cargo passenger numbers were also on the rise, and 10 new services had been introduced since last year.
Alderman Peter Power of Limerick city warned against "those who view Shannon with jealous and greedy eyes. These people see the volatility of the highly competitive aviation industry as an opportunity to reap huge financial rewards, but at the expense of the Shannon region and its people".
Referring to those interests pressing for Shannon to be hived off as a separate private entity, he said: "I believe that if Shannon is pitted against Dublin and Cork in direct competition, Shannon will lose hands-down."
While welcoming the Ryanair proposals last week for Shannon, he was disappointed that the airline's chief executive, Mr Michael O'Leary, had announced the airline's proposals without any formal approach to Aer Rianta.