Brennan throws down challenge to airport

TRANSPORT Minister Séamus Brennan yesterday threw down a challenge to Shannon Airport, soon to be run by a separate authority.

Launching its new €83 million air traffic control centre, he said: “the appetite for international air travel continues to grow rapidly.

“There is no reason why Shannon cannot attract a growing share of a growing travel market if the airport is extensively marketed,” the minister said.

Using the new Cairde 2000 system, air traffic controllers will manage the 1,200 large jet planes that fly daily through Irish airspace.

This adds up to nearly 400,000 transatlantic crossings every year carrying about 50m passengers.

“Under the proposed new Shannon Airport Authority, the airport will have a fresh start and can develop a robust separate business strategy, including concentrated marketing initiatives, that can grow passenger numbers well in excess of current throughput of 2.4m,” said Mr Brennan.

From 2006, Shannon controllers will handle 90% of all traffic between Europe and North America.

The new system is part of the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) €115m programme for one of the most advanced computerised radar and flight planning management systems in Europe.

Mr Brennan noted the IAA fully self-financed the new centre at Ballycasey, Co Clare, which was completed on time and within budget.

Aircraft overflying Irish airspace accounts for about 80% or over e86m per annum of the authority’s revenue.

Mr Brennan said the authority had always been very customer-focused, while continuing to maintain the highest safety and professional standards.

“With the challenges of increased traffic, pressure from airlines for reduced costs and more efficient services and new developments in Europe, particularly the Single European Sky concept, it is vital that the authority continues to maintain these high standards,” said the minister.

This would be achieved by ongoing technology improvements and working closely with other service providers.

In this regard, Mr Brennan said he was pleased recent discussions between the British and Irish administrations had recently concluded with agreement on the transfer of a block of airspace over the North Atlantic to the north-west of Ireland to Irish control.