John Moran: Aer Lingus move is the canary in the coalmine for Shannon region

Regional airport decision shows Aer Lingus does not believe in government’s regional policy

Of course, the removal of the base from Shannon does not mean that the flights might not continue to take off but it is a strong sign that those could disappear one day soon by a simple change in flight schedules when business imperatives make that also an optimum choice. Picture : Eamon Ward

The Aer Lingus management are a rational bunch who manage the bottom line for shareholders. They have acted. Their actions show up the failure of years of government policy and its implementation.

Cutting operations in Shannon and in Cork must make sense from a business perspective based on the future they see. Their priorities are not the body blows to those regions rebuilding from pandemic destruction.