O’Donoghue optimistic about future of Shannon Airport

Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue has expressed optimist about the growth of Shannon Airport following Ryanair's announcement of a €180m investment at the Co Clare facility.

The airline said it planned to operate eight new services to Britain and Europe from May 3 of next year in a move that could create up to 2,000 jobs in the area.

Mr O'Donoghue said he believed the move could help the airport's new independent authority to attract more business.

"I spoke recently with American Airlines in the United States of America and they expressed an interest in coming to Shannon and Dublin," he said.

"Shannon can stand on its own two feet if Shannon believes in itself as it has in the past and it really is important that the kind of confidence that is required in order to grow Shannon is imbued in its new authority and I know that it is."