Concern over open skies deal

THE first stage of an open skies deal with the US should be completed before the end of the year, Transport Minister Martin Cullen told the Dáil yesterday.

With EU-US open skies negotiations due to begin in earnest shortly, Mr Cullen declined to indicate how much of a transformation period the Government would be seeking before the ending of the Shannon stopover.

However, he indicated that, at the very least, a transitional period of a number of years would be sought to protect the Shannon stopover temporarily.