Shannon Airport Urging Airlines To Avail Of Space Amid Dublin Capacity Crunch

Clare FM

The Shannon Airport Group insists it has the space available to cater for more airlines, flights and destinations amid a growing capacity crunch at Dublin Airport. It comes as the DAA is warning the possibility of breaching it's controversial passenger cap this Winter is imminent. The Dublin Airport Authority currently awaits the verdict of a planning application to Fingal County Council that would increase the passenger cap to 40 million a year, until then the airport is restricted to a maximum of 32 million passengers. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has been among the most vocal and is now blaming the cap for a steep increase in plane fares from Dublin to London, which could cost passengers up to 500 euro this Christmas. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless will meet O'Leary next week and has indicated Shannon Airport can play an important role in ensuring Irish air traffic continues to grow in the short to medium term. CEO of the Shannon Airport Group Mary Considine insists they're well equipped and in the most suitable location to take on more capacity and meet market demand. A local councillor, meanwhile, believes the government's failure to maximise capacity at Shannon Airport is an own goal for the Irish economy. Last year, Shannon Airport only handled 5% of Irish air traffic, yet still contributed almost €4bn to the national economy , meanwhile Dublin handled 85% of last year's flights. Shannon also is just one of two European airports along with Dublin to offer US pre-clearance and boasts the longest runway in the country and is located adjacent to the M18 motorway. Shannon Sinn Féín Councillor Donna McGettigan believes the state is not doing enough to maximise opportunities at Shannon, which she claims is curtailing tourism, employment and economic growth across the country.