Fears Aer Lingus to pull out of Shannon altogether

SHANNON’S Aer Lingus staff have said they are more convinced than ever the company plans to pull out of the mid-west altogether.

Despite persistent denials by the company, members of the employee-based Shannon Action Group said they fear for their future. They are basing their latest assertion on a conversation overheard on a flight last January. The alleged conversation reportedly took place among Aer Lingus managers and was overheard by a member of the company’s cabin crew.

SAG member Geraldine Morrissey said the comments have been reconsidered in light of the transfer to Belfast.

“Staff members have heard members of the management executive team discussing the need to pull out of Shannon as quickly as possible.

“They made the comments on board an aircraft when, presumably, they thought they were out of earshot,” she said.

Yesterday, Ms Morrissey said the comments date back to January or February and were not acted upon at the time. They have also not been acted on at local level since then.

Since the controversy regarding the transfer of Heathrow flights to Belfast International Airport erupted in August, the company has dismissed talk of a total pull-out from Shannon.

Aer Lingus said it has reinforced a commitment on long-haul flights, but Ms Morrissey believes that is not the case. “There are 174 cabin crew in Shannon, but only one daily flight to New York will continue under the new arrangements. The staff requirement to cover this on a weekly basis would be 75. Despite much protestation, and a lot of media and political pressure, people are worried about what happens in October 2008 when the summer season ends.”

However, the SAG said it was not focusing on the company, but rather on the Government. The group has again demanded it uses its shareholding to reverse the decision.

Ms Morrissey said staff are disappointed that members of the interdepartmental group have met with other lobby groups, but, so far, have not sat down with the SAG.