Showdown looms over State’s plans for airports

A POLITICAL row was brewing last night between new Transport Minister Seamus Brennan and Aer Rianta chairman Noel Hanlon over the Government’s plans to totally reorganise the running of the country’s main airports.

The minister is planning to take part of Aer Rianta's profits from Dublin Airport and divert that money into the development of Shannon and Cork airports, a senior Government source confirmed last night.

The Cabinet will be asked to approve this next month along with proposals to take control of Cork and Shannon airports away from Aer Rianta and appoint autonomous boards to run them.