EU gives Shannon stop-over stay of execution
The ministers, including Irelandâs Martin Cullen, said they needed clarity on the proposals worked out last month between representatives of the EU and the US transport authorities.
The deal on Shannon, where half of all US flights through Ireland must land at the County Clare airport, is planned to be phased out by 2008, starting late next year.
Instead Aer Lingus will be allowed operate three new routes from
November 2006 to new destinations such as Dallas, Miami and San
Francisco. At least two US airlines are considering launching new flights to Ireland.
The deal is part of an overall open skies agreement between the worldâs two largest aviation markets, the US and the EU, which would open up the routes to greater competition and could lead to a fares war.
Europe is insisting that the US changes rules that limits foreign investors to own no more than 49% of US carriers and just 25% of voting rights.
The US has agreed to review these rules but the results will not be known until January. The UK Transport secretary, Alistair Darling, who chaired yesterdayâs meeting of Ministers in Brussels, said the shape of any deal will not be clear until the US completes its review of these rules.
Mr Darling warned against excessive optimism over a deal and said that nothing was agreed until everything was agreed. New negotiations will be required when the US make their position known.
Minister Cullen urged his colleagues to conclude an agreement as soon as possible, though agreed not to make a decision at yesterdayâs meeting. âI believe that the US proposals on ownership and control will offer EU carriers the level of control they need to protect any investment they make and that this Council should give positive consideration to the US moves in this area as soon as their final shape is known,â Minister Cullen said.
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