Ryanair deal - Airports have to take control

It is ironic that it should be a union representative who resigned from the Dublin Airport Authority over the deal which will see Ryanair open up nine new routes from Shannon Airport to destinations in Britain and Europe.

SIPTU’s Dermot O’Loughlin, who is one of the worker-directors, resigned because he said there was a lack of consultation over the new agreement.

With 200 jobs to result from the arrangement, his decision will hardly cause any ripples in Shannon, whose airport authority will become operational next May, like Cork. Both airports are preparing to be self-sufficient and can hardly be blamed for attracting whatever business they can.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen is right to keep his distance from the spat in Dublin because it appears to be merely a little turbulence in a teacup.

All three State airports will, from next year, be responsible for their individual destinies and will have to prove viable if they are to survive.

Ryanair’s decision to locate in Shannon is a major boost for the airport and the west of Ireland, and other commercial opportunities should follow in its wake.