Airport Authority ‘betrayed’ Shannon

THE Dublin Airport Authority was strongly criticised yesterday for its failure to inform colleagues in Shannon about the planned closure by Aer Lingus of its Shannon-Heathrow route.

TDs and senators accused DAA management of abandoning its duty and obligations to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) by not providing local airport executives with the opportunity to persuade Aer Lingus to keep its connection with Heathrow.

The Irish Examiner revealed last year the DAA had known about Aer Lingus plans to transfer its slots at Heathrow from Shannon to Belfast over six weeks before the move was announced by the airline in August.