Shannon pull-out will go ahead: Mannion

Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion today insisted the controversial Shannon pull-out would go ahead as he prepared to meet politicians and business leaders opposed to the plan.

However, he insisted the airline remains committed to Shannon despite the decision to axe its Heathrow route.

Mr Mannion was speaking as he arrived in Shannon this morning for talks with local politicians and business groups opposed to the decision.

His first meeting is with Defence Minister Willie O'Dea and Junior Minister Tony Killeen, who have broken ranks with the Government by calling for the move to be reversed.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Mannion said: "Aer Lingus has a significant ongoing contribution to make to Shannon.

"We're here to engage with all the stakeholders in the Shannon area today and make sure they understand the extent of Aer Lingus's ongoing commitment to Shannon Airport and the Shannon region.

"This has been a very, very difficult process for us. That's exactly why we're here - to explain the rationale for the decision and to move forward in a very positive way."

With a day of tough talks lined up, speculation was mounting the airline was planning to bid for new Heathrow slots for the Mid-West when existing deals at the London airport expire.

On his way into the Park Inn Hotel at Shannon Airport, Mr Mannion warned the Shannon cutbacks were going ahead.

Later Mr Mannion is to meet representatives of Clare County Council, lobbyists from the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) and the Shannon Airport Authority.

Leading businessmen from the Mid-West have also been given time with the Aer Lingus chief along with the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance (ACA), a coalition of tourism and industry chiefs and concerned locals.

Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy said representatives will be driving home the economic impact that a partial pull-out of the airline from Shannon will have on the wider region.

“If this goes through Shannon will be the only part of Ireland that does not have a direct link to London Heathrow and that is not going to happen,” the Mayor insisted.