Decision on future of Shannon in weeks

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and the wider Cabinet will make a decision in the next five weeks on the future of Shannon Airport, while decisions on the futures of Cork and Dublin airports will be long fingered until the end of the year.

A major consultants’ report published by the minister yesterday said there is “an urgent need to consider alternative ownership” of Shannon so the airport can generate new revenue streams.

The day-to-day running of Shannon Airport needs to be taken over by a specialist airport operator if it is to be given the best chance of increasing airport traffic and returning to full viability, the Booz and Company report stated.