Aer Lingus has written to its shareholders to rubbish claims it may be forced to stump up €200m to shore up workers’ pension entitlements.

Monday’s disruptive airport stoppages may have been averted, but there is little optimism that talks at the Labour Relations Commission can resolve the two-year old pension dispute at Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport Authority.

Siptu will this morning decide whether to call off the industrial action which could close the country’s airports next Monday and accept an invitation for talks with employers at the Labour Relations Commission.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has said there is real interest from industry in investing in Shannon Airport.

Ryanair has confirmed that 10 airline groups — among them IAG, Virgin and CityJet — have shown interest in forming a part of its “remedy package”, aimed at winning EU approval for its €694m takeover bid for Aer Lingus.

The Irish Tenors, ranked as one of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, alongside U2 and Riverdance, sing Ireland’s praises whenever they can.

Industrial action by Siptu next Monday will close the country’s three main airports causing travel chaos, Dublin Airport Authority has warned.

What’s another year?

Limerick: Chairman of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) David Dilger will address the Limerick Chamber Christmas lunch at the Carlton Castletroy Park on Friday.

I CAN’T but comment on the DDA’s stunning new ad listing all the “wonderful” things from and about us Irish and the island of Ireland.

SHANNON airport is operating with both hands behind its back and in the impossible situation of having to compete against its employer, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), and the newly opened T2.

The opening of Terminal 2 failed to lift spirits, says Scott Millar.

RYANAIR has announced it is cutting back on flights out of Dublin Airport, including a 50% reduction in its daily services to Cork from next year.

RYANAIR has accused the Government of failing to act to save the airline’s Kerry-Dublin service because it favours the semi-state companies to private sector organisations.

Dublin: Ryanair has welcomed calls from the ESRI for the “introduction of terminal competition at Dublin Airport”, where the two terminals are sold off to different competing owners, in a move that would mirror the British ruling that the BAA monopoly of London’s airports should be broken up to promote competition and a better deal for passengers.

AER Lingus says trading picked up in the third quarter and that it is likely to generate a full-year operating profit towards the top end of expectations.

AT least one airline has emerged as a potential replacement carrier to take over the Shannon to Paris route which Ryanair will abandon next month despite its success.

SHANNON Airport would lose out on the €5 million-€10m it receives annually from the Dublin Airport Authority, to cover likely losses, if complete autonomy was secured.

SHANNON Airport could become a hub for cargo between the US and Europe, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey believes.

RYANAIR hopes the Government’s financial woes will help the low-cost carrier finally seal a takeover of Aer Lingus, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has told a German newspaper.