Govt vows to find carrier to operate Shannon service

The Government has said it is standing by its refusal to interfere in Aer Lingus' decision to axe Shannon to Heathrow flights.

Cabinet Ministers have agreed that the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, will do all in his power to help the airport authority to get another carrier to operate the route.

Mr Dempsey has presented a report on the circumstances leading to the airline's decision to transfer slots to Belfast.

He said that keeping a Shannon to Heathrow air service is a priority for both him and the Government.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance said it hopes that the document it handed over to the Cabinet will be considered seriously.

The Alliance says the Shannon-Heathrow route is vital to the West as it offers onward connections to 46 cities.