Union opposes abolition of Shannon stopover

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, which represents craftworkers at Aer Rianta, has expressed its opposition to the scrapping of the Shannon stopover.

The TEEU said the move, a predicted result of the new EU-US "open skies" agreement, would damage the local economy based around Shannon Airport and halt investment in the region by US multinationals.

Under the Shannon stopover deal, 50% of all US flights into Ireland have to stop at the Co Clare airport.

The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, said earlier today that she believed Shannon had relied too heavily on the stopover deal.

She said she would like to see Shannon removed from the control of Aer Rianta and fighting to win business from Europe.