Open skies policy should be embraced

A LEADING campaigner for the development of regional transport last night warned against a head-in-the-sand attitude to the ending of the Shannon stopover with the advent of Open Skies on transatlantic flights.

Kieran McSweeney called on the Government to embrace opportunities presented by Open Skies by creating a Transport Authority for the West and Mid-West.

Managing director of Avocent in Shannon and one of the most prominent campaigners for regional development in the Mid West, he said: “This transport authority would be granted executive powers, similar to those of the Dublin Transport Authority, to ensure that infrastructure critical to the viability of Shannon Airport and the Mid-West and West of Ireland is given priority and completed within the timeframe of the transition period for the Shannon stopover.”