Doubts grow over Aer Rianta plan

A GOVERNMENT think-tank yesterday cast doubts on the proposed break-up of Aer Rianta and warned the plan could leave Shannon and Cork airports in financial trouble.

The National Institute of Transport and Logistics (NITAL) a Government- sponsored advisory body warned the break-up of the state airport monopoly could also isolate the regions making them less attractive to tourists and investors.

The latest analysis comes as strike action was narrowly avoided for the second time yesterday only after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern intervened to reassure workers concerned over Aer Rianta's break up.