Timing of announcement politically influenced

THE timing of Aer Lingus’s Shannon-Heathrow announcement, following the Dáil and Seanad elections and during the long summer recess of both Houses, was both politically and public relations-influenced.

The reaction of vested interests in the Shannon region was over-the-top.

In contrast, Fr Harry Bohan suggested doing something practical like sourcing other airlines and seeking to acquire some of the Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow.