€1m airport development fund

A FUND of €1 million to stem declining passenger numbers at Shannon Airport was announced yesterday at a meeting of key tourism interests in the mid-west.

Shannon Development, the regional tourism body, said it has initiated a new airline route development fund, which will be used to help secure additional business for the airport.

Shannon airport will lose an anticipated €9m this year and its whittled down winter schedule just offers a choice of 14 destinations.

A major report on the future management of the airport is currently being finalised and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has stated one option may be to lease the airport on a franchise basis, with the state retaining ownership.

Speaking at the launch yesterday of the Shannon fund, Vincent Cunnane, chief executive of Shannon Development said: “We are advanced in our plans to establish the fund and are already in discussions with public and private sector interests in the Shannon region.

“The new fund will allow the region compete for strategic international air connectivity for Shannon Airport”.

Shannon Development tourism division manager Pat Daly said next year they plan to build on increased visitor numbers in 2011.

“We will develop on our tourism successes in 2011, which saw us deliver an additional 310,000 bednights and €30m in additional tourism revenue for the Shannon region as a direct result of initiatives generated and delivered exclusively by Shannon Development.

“In this regard, Shannon Development is setting an aggressive operational target of 590,000 new visitors to the region in 2012. “This initiative is expected to lead to an estimated 100,000 additional bednights.”