Concern for Shannon and Cork airports

Business leaders continued to express alarm at reports that Aer Lingus bases in Shannon and Cork airports are under threat.

Fears were heightened when Aer Lingus staff at the airports were briefed via video that the airline’s grim financial situation could result in compulsory redundancies as well as its bases in both airports being at risk.

Limerick Chamber of Commerce chief executive

Dee Ryan said businesses in the Mid-West were very concerned and it was time the Government came up with a comprehensive suite of measures to protect aviation and connectivity into Ireland while flights remained grounded.

“Something more radical will have to be done to ensure jobs and, crucially, the connectivity that Aer Lingus provides into Heathrow and transatlantic are protected. There needs to be further investment in strategic links into regional airports.

“Many firms remain in the Mid-West because of connectivity through Shannon and it needs to be enhanced,” Ryan said.

Aer Lingus CEO Sean Doyle outlined a potentially dramatic escalation of its cost-cutting plans. He warned the scale of flights from the two regional airports was being reviewed, as well as “the ongoing viability of our regional bases there”.

Passenger numbers at Cork and Shannon are down by about 95pc due to Covid-19.