Aer Lingus deny claims Shannon facility to close

Aer Lingus has strenuously denied suggestions that it is about to close its Shannon Airport maintenance facility with the loss of 70 jobs.

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has said he raised the matter two weeks ago, when it was clear that Aer Lingus had signed a 20-year lease for Hangar 6 in Dublin, which could affect its maintenance facilities at Shannon.

Deputy Breen said this raised concerns that Aer Lingus planned to centralise its maintenance facilities at Dublin Airport, but the airline have said the suggestion is "totally without foundation".