Shannon Airport cabin crew base
Deputy Lowry raised Aer Lingus’s decision to permanently close its Shannon cabin crew base and the impact on staff and the midwest. The Minister said he expected Shannon flights to resume, that the aviation sector would return, and that he saw no indication of a permanent withdrawal.
News that Aer Lingus will permanently close its cabin crew base at Shannon Airport has come as a significant blow to the airport, the midwest region, including County Tipperary, and in particular, the 80 Shannon-based staff who now face redundancy and grave uncertainty.
Over the past week, I have heard very genuine personal stories reflecting great hardship and huge anxiety for the future. This announcement is a grave disservice to a loyal, dedicated staff. The staff of Aer Lingus are squeezed in the middle between Government-imposed restrictions and Aer Lingus strategy and policy.
Protecting the future of its core workforce must be a Government priority in discussions with Aer Lingus. Financial support for the company must be conditional on the retention of its base at Shannon. State aid must be directed in such a way to support and assist the workforce. The move by Aer Lingus to close its base at Shannon contradicts Government policy to encourage actively balanced regional development. Dublin Airport will continue to grow and flourish. Shannon and Cork airports are doomed to struggle for survival. Does the Minister have any proposals to assist Aer Lingus and the Shannon base?
Comment on this
I was glad to be able to talk to some of the pilots who were protesting outside the convention centre today and give them a similar commitment I will give to the Deputy, which is that we will do everything to see the aviation sector return and with it all the range of different benefits that accrue to our country.
To be clear, Shannon Airport will see flights returning. I expect Aer Lingus to be back flying from Shannon Airport in September and flights from the states equally returning. In a meeting I had with the airline and the airport last week, there was no indication or sense that this will not be the eventuality. Yes, we must make it happen first and foremost. It is about managing Covid-19.
We will have statements on travel shortly in the Dáil. A Government decision is expected later this week, after which the roadmap will be set out. I hope that will be the key element in getting those jobs back.