Shannon to target Dublin-bound flyers for growth

Shannon Airport plans to target passengers travelling from the mid-west to Dublin for flights as part of its plan to increase passengers numbers.

The head of the Shannon Airport Authority also stated that the airport wants to secure connectivity with a second European hub.

Lawyer and Clare native Rose Hynes, who was appointed by the Government as chair of the new authority last month, addressed the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications on its future plans.

While Ms Hynes confirmed none of the 230 staff at Shannon will lose their jobs, there was a need for certain “efficiencies”.

“The airport’s cost base is currently higher than its industry peers, partly because of its reduced traffic levels. Productivity improvements and flexible work practices can help to reduce this disadvantage.”

She also confirmed that negotiations are taking place with several airlines with a view to increasing terminal and transit passenger traffic, which has fallen from 3.6m to 1.6m in the past five years.

Senator Pascal Mooney asked Ms Hynes about her plans to attract more European visitors in Shannon, making the point that despite its “fraught relationship” with the airport, the low cost carrier Ryanair would be a key driver for bringing more people into Ireland.

“Ryanair is still an important customer of Shannon. We have a very good relationship with Ryanair and we are in discussion with Ryanair as well as a number of other airlines. We will be seeking to increase passenger numbers in Shannon, both inbound and outbound.

“We don’t intend to accept unsustainable growth with Ryanair. That was an issue in the past and we’re not going to go there again, we have to learn from the problems of the past. We see the passengers going up and down to Dublin and we’re certainly going to target them.”

Ms Hynes also confirmed plans to secure connectivity with another European hub other than Heathrow. It is understood the authority is targeting a major German city with which to connect.

She was also asked about Shannon’s “over-reliance” on US military traffic which has dropped significantly over the past year. “Military traffic has been in the DNA of Shannon for many years.

“It’s something that’s important, it’s lucrative and we are certainly going to go after it as much as possible.”