In an attempt to revive the flagging fortunes of Shannon Airport, the chief executive of Shannon Development, Mr Kevin Thompstone, has proposed the establishment of a new board to govern the airport.
Addressing members of Clare County Council on Shannon's prospects, Mr Thompstone said that a new board should be representative of the various interests in the region and should put in place policies which would guide the future direction of the airport.
Shannon Airport is currently managed by Aer Rianta, which also manages Dublin and Cork airports. However, Mr Thompstone told the council meeting that it would be far better for Shannon Airport if decisions relevant to it were made in the region rather than outside it.
Shannon Development is responsible for economic development in the midwest, although it has no direct role in Shannon Airport.
Addressing the council's November meeting, Mr Thompstone said that such a regionally-based board - which would include tourism and business interests in the region - would function as the corporate governance of the airport.
Pointing out that Shannon was a critical engine for growth for the west of Ireland, Mr Thompstone explained that his proposal formed part of a strategy to secure the future of the airport.
Since the middle of last September, 96 flights a week have been cut at Shannon. With winter schedules now in operation, the decreased services will result in job losses in the midwest, according to an IBEC/Shannon Development survey of 150 companies in the region, published in part by Mr Thompstone last night.
He told council members that, as part of the survey, one world leader in the international services sector had told Shannon Development that its operation would close if air services at Shannon continued to contract. Alternative locations in Europe were being looked at by this employer.
