Former Vantage Airport Group chief commercial officer Matthew Thomas will replace outgoing Shannon Group boss Neil Pakey as chief executive in June after the group yesterday confirmed his appointment.

State-owned Shannon Group yesterday started a €21m redevelopment of the airport’s industrial park to attract more international companies.

Irish Water has confirmed it suffered a loss of €139 million in 2014 as both the chairman and the chief executive of its parent company, Ervia, admitted “mistakes” were made in how the water utility evolved in its first year in operation.

The Shannon Group is seeking backers to fund its reinvestment programme at the airport and adjoining Shannon Free Zone.

Shannon Airport is to incur its first round of job losses since securing its independence almost 18 months ago.

Unions and business groups have clashed over the Government’s decision to sell the State’s 25% stake in Aer Lingus after the long-awaited move was finally announced by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe yesterday.

Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan has dismissed claims by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that Shannon Airport’s continued success was being gained at the expense of Cork Airport.

Profits at the independent Shannon Airport have jumped 34% in just one year with passenger numbers up 17% and European traffic up 70%.

Ervia has launched an investigation into allegations of financial misappropriation, made by a former employee. The allegation concerns a senior figure in the state gas company.

Shannon Airport and Ryanair will run a series of ‘Santa Flights’ next month following the success of last year’s free event — but this time there will be a cost.

Shannon Airport was last night voted the top airport operating in Europe’s regions or capital cities where it is not the major airport.

The first Irish-American Mayor of Boston in 20 years Marty Walsh departed from Shannon Airport this morning following an 11 day visit admitting Ireland is very much an economy on the move again.

Shannon Airport recorded a pre-tax profit of €149,000 in its first year as an independent airport, figures show.

Ryanair yesterday announced five additional routes to its Shannon winter schedule which commences at the end of October.

New routes from Shannon Airport have delivered a 140% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.

Renewed calls have been made to Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to move on with promised legislation setting up the new Shannon Group to take control of running the airport and creating an aviation hub there.

The country’s coffers are to be boosted by more than €1bn as the proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy are expected to be lodged with the Government in the first half of the year.

The outgoing deputy chief executive of Ryanair stated yesterday that the airline “is only scratching the surface” of its potential in Europe, stating that carrying 200m passengers in a single year “is very realistic”.

The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said yesterday that the independent Shannon Airport has exceeded his expectations to record a profit in its first year of operation.

Aer Lingus has resumed year-round services from Shannon to the US for the first time since 2009 after replacing Airbus A330 jets with the smaller, more economical Boeing 757 aircraft.

AN awards ceremony in Limerick. A newspaper apology in the US. The Gettysburg Address. This weekend crafted an odd connection between the three.

Limerick’s City of Culture 2014 programme will generate over €100m in additional visitor revenue, the Limerick city/county manager, Conn Murray, predicted yesterday.

With the recession over and an offer of as much money as he could wish for, things appear to be looking up for Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan.

The manufacture of aircraft in Ireland for the first time moved a step closer yesterday.

The chairwoman of Shannon Airport yesterday declared that the airport is now self-sustaining and 2013 is the year that the fortunes of the airport will be turned around.

Shannon Airport’s chief executive-designate yesterday spoke of “the new belief” since the airport was freed from the control of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

A US-based aircraft maintenance company has confirmed plans to locate its new strategic corporate headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Shannon Airport.

The new CEO of Bord Gáis Michael McNicholas is taking a €750,000 pay cut to take up the position.

Shannon Airport has secured its first new service since it was cut free from the Dublin Airport Authority a month ago.

The Government has approved a €200,000 salary for the head of the new agency to collect water charges from homeowners.

An anti-war group has warned of further protests at Shannon Airport after the chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority said the facility will specifically target US troop business.

The chairwoman of the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) has revealed that Shannon is working with the Department of Transport on giving freedom rights to airlines from other countries to stop at Shannon before travelling on to the US.

On behalf of the justice and peace organisation, Afri, I am revulsed at comments by the head of the Shannon Airport Authority, Rose Hynes, to an Oireachtas committee, as reported in the Irish Examiner.

Shannon Airport plans to target passengers travelling from the mid-west to Dublin for flights as part of its plan to increase passengers numbers.

Shannon Airport yesterday celebrated the beginning of a new era as it officially became an independent entity.

The man who led the ‘Big Switch’ campaign in the Irish electricity market is about to make a massive change in his own working life — John Mullins, the chief executive of Bord Gáis, leaves the company this month.

John Mullins will step down as chief executive of Bord Gáis when his contract expires in November.

IN one area of Irish life, the public sector knocks hell out of its private sector equivalent — the make-up of boards of directors.

Bank of Ireland has today announced the appointment of Patrick Mulvihill and Pat Butler as non-executive directors.

A QUARTER of the country’s energy needs are now produced in Cork harbour, following the opening of a €400 million electricity generating plant in Whitegate.

A new Bord Gáis 445 megawatts gas-fired power plant was officially opened in Cork today.

“A BIG change in banking culture” was what Finance Minister Brian Lenihan promised back in February 2009 when a major bailout was announced.