Hoteliers in bid to block Airline route plan

Hoteliers today called on the Government to join forces with other Aer Lingus shareholders to block the airline’s decision to abandon the valuable Shannon-Heathrow service.

The Irish Hotel Federation (IHF) backed calls for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company and urged a ’No’ vote on the controversial plan.

Michael Vaughan, chairman of the IHF Shannon branch, praised TDs who spoke out against the Aer Lingus plan but insisted it was time for the Government to step in.

“We welcome the manner in which the Shannon-Heathrow issue has been addressed by some members of the Government to date and in particular the Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea TD,” he said.

“However, it is now imperative that the Government as a whole provide clear leadership and work with other shareholders in Aer Lingus to ensure the airline continues to retain the Shannon-Heathrow service at its current level.”

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary, a 25% shareholder in Aer Lingus, initially called for the EGM and a vote on the decision. The Government also holds a quarter of the airline and unions have around 10%.

Following a joint meeting of the Shannon, Galway and Kerry branches of the IHF, hoteliers said the Government needed to intervene immediately to save the Shannon-Heathrow service.

“The importance of the Shannon-Heathrow route to the long-term viability of Shannon Airport and the Mid West region can not be underestimated,” Mr Vaughan said.

“A vote by the Government to maintain the slots at the forthcoming EGM will be seen as a clear vote in favour of business and tourism in the region.”

The IHF said Aer Lingus accepted before privatisation how vital the Heathrow slots are to Shannon.