Airport ‘must not suffer in open skies deal’

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen will not be able to negotiate with US airlines to over-fly Shannon before the EU reaches agreement on an open skies deal, according to the European Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot.

In a letter to Fine Gael Senator and MEP Jim Higgins, Mr Barrot said: “The transitional period foreseen for Shannon Airport will commence as and from the date that full agreement has been reached and Open Skies is in operation.”

Mr Higgins said this prevents Mr Cullen to coming to an agreement with the US that would undermine Shannon.