Regional Chambers: We cannot return to Dublin receiving all air passengers

Business groups say a portion of all restored and new routes should be spread across Cork, Kerry, Knock and Shannon

The empty terminal at Shannon Airport. Aer Lingus has taken the decision to premanently shut its base there. Picture : Eamon Ward

Returning to a concentration of Dublin receiving 96% of new air passengers coming into the country is not an option, Ireland's regional Chambers have said.

Issuing a joint statement in response to the decision by Aer Lingus to shut its base in Shannon and close temporarily in Cork, the Ennis, Galway, Limerick, Shannon, Cork and Tralee chambers said urgent action was now needed to ensure regional air connectivity.