Open Skies must include Shannon
However, with the deal expected to be finalised by October of this year, SIPTU last night expressed fears about the region's future if the stopover is abandoned.
SIPTU national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said the elimination of the stopover would pose grave problems.
"It is difficult to see how the future of Shannon and the region can be copper-fastened, as Seamus Brennan says, if the Shannon bilateral agreement is ended," he said.
Mr Brennan said the Government would not agree to anything that would not give breathing space to allow Shannon airport to adjust to the new market.
Mr Brennan acting on behalf of the European Union because of Ireland's presidency of the EU returned yesterday from a meeting with US transport secretary Norman Mineta.
"It was very useful and I explained that Europe wanted greater access to the US ... which means that any airline could do business inside America. The US are resisting and that battle has to be fought. But I made it clear that Europe wishes more access to American markets in return for access to Europe," he said.
At present, European airlines are allowed to fly to only a few destinations and are not permitted to operate domestic American flights.
At present, these flight deals are conducted on a country by country basis and this is the first time the EU as a whole are negotiating for an agreement.
Asked why the Americans were holding off on a deal, Mr Brennan said: "It's election year and America, for all its great interest in competition and open markets, is actually quite protectionist and American airlines do not want to have any European airline doing any business around America. What we want in Europe is some equality."
The slow progress has been criticised by Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh. He said yesterday that European airlines deserve the same treatment as those from the US, which can fly to any destination in Europe.
He said that if an agreement was reached Aer Lingus saw "significant scope to expand in the US".
However, the creation of a 'single sky' across Europe would have implications for the existing arrangement whereby half of all flights to and from the US stop at Shannon Airport. The ending of this situation would have a disastrous impact on Shannon, which is heavily dependent on transatlantic traffic.
Mr Brennan said: "I made it clear that [the] Irish Government would want to be satisfied that the future of Shannon was assured and solid before we agree any US/EU deal. But I'm confident from my discussions with [the Americans] that it would be possible to insert into a deal some protection and breathing space for Shannon Airport."
