Aer Rianta board to consider break-up plans

The board of Aer Rianta is due to discuss the Government’s plan to break up the company when it meets later today.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday published legislation paving the way for Aer Rianta to be divided into three independent, competing entities.

The State Airports Bill will see the abolition of the current Aer Rianta board and its replacement with three new bodies.

These would be a new Dublin Airport Authority, while two new companies to manage Cork and Shannon airports would be established next April.

The break-up will only go ahead, however, if those in charge of the three airports can produce business plans to show that they are economically viable as independent companies.