ACA criticises Dept of Transport over inaction on Shannon

The Atlantic Connectivity Alliance (ACA) has today expressed disappointment over the revelation that Department of Transport officials were aware of the Aer Lingus decision to abandon the Shannon Heathrow route six weeks prior to it being made public.

In a statement issued by the group an ACA spokesperson said that: "The ACA is disappointed with this as it now appears that stakeholders in the region were denied a vital six week window of opportunity to infuence this decision, which will have huge repercussions for the region.

"Had the six-week period been available it would have allowed the business community to sit down with Aer Lingus and work on solutions or look for alternative carriers, not least BMI. We have been denied an opportunity to work with them in a business-like fashion in a bid to avert this crisis.

"We hope that the Minister's enquiry into this issue will be dealt with swiftly and the reason for this damaging breakdown in communications will be made known at the earliest opportunity."