Airport safeguards vital, say lobbyists

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was yesterday warned by a powerful lobby group of the dangers in opening up transatlantic air travel without conditions to safeguard Shannon.

A letter from major industry and public sector groups involved with Shannon told Mr Ahern that liberalisation of transatlantic travel would require a five-year transition period.

Under the current agreement, US airlines wising to fly into Dublin must provide a one-for-one flight in and out of Shannon.