Shannon Group yesterday confirmed it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese airport to develop economic links.

Operating profits at Shannon Airport and its two subsidiary property and tourism firms increased last year.

David Marnane’s high-class sprinter Nocturnal Affair makes his first appearance of the turf season in the Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary tonight.

The airline carried 350,000 passengers from Shannon to Heathrow last year; its closure of the route has shocked and angered aviation and industry sectors in the region, writes Conor Ryan.