HE said “I’m sorry.” Two words that I thought were only spoken in films, and when I hear them now in that context they bring a lump to my throat.

Aer Lingus staff will stage a two-hour work stoppage as the pension dispute at the airline escalates, unions have said.

Shannon Airport has achieved another 10% drop in CO2 emissions, for which it has received an improved accreditation level, further strengthening its “green” credentials.

Aer Lingus is once again facing disruptive action by cabin and ground crew after talks on the ailing pension scheme it shares with Dublin Airport Authority collapsed at the Labour Relations Commission.

The decision by Aer Arann to end its flights to and from Waterford Regional Airport, leaving the airport serviced by just one other airline on one route, has been met with disappointment.

I look with concern at the unfolding situation at Aer Lingus where staff unions are to hold a two-hour stoppage on Nov 19.

Ryanair has claimed “awful service levels” in Dublin Airport is causing massive delays at peak times in T1.

Cork Airport is hopeful of breaking even by the end of 2014, despite showing no real improvement in losses last year.

Operations will start this week on the first route secured by Shannon Airport since it received its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

Clare County Council will launch a standalone town plan for Shannon today which includes the zoning of a 2,000-acre landbank for aviation-related business and activities.

BROADCASTER Terry Wogan can be heard on a radio advertisement these days extolling the virtues of using Shannon Airport as a departure and arrivals point for travellers out of and into the West of Ireland.

Mid-West business bodies have welcomed a decision to give Shannon Airport full independence from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has called on the Government to dispose of all state-ownership of airports in Ireland following its decision to grant independence to Shannon Airport.

Over 850 jobs are due to be created as a result of the decision to grant Shannon Airport full independence from the Dublin Airport Authority, formally announced by the Government yesterday.

Shannon Airport will take control of its own future from Dec 31 as part of major reform of the aviation sector which will see the struggling airport separated from the Dublin Airport Authority.

As Transport Minister Leo Varadkar finalises the government strategy for the future of Shannon Airport, Clare County Council said yesterday it will unveil its planning roadmap for the airport and Shannon Town on Dec 10.

Industrial action is again on the cards at Dublin Airport Authority after staff said they were rejecting company proposals on the ailing pension scheme.

The construction of new hangar facilities at Shannon could begin as early as 2013 as part of determined efforts to attract aviation business to the soon-to-be independent airport.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has played down suggestions that projected numbers for Shannon Airport are “fanciful”.

Siptu is balloting members at Shannon Airport for industrial action following the Government’s decision to separate it from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).