February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Aer Rianta has always opposed a breakup, but Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said last week that the cabinet had decided to immediately establish new boards-designate for Dublin, Shannon and Cork.
The minister said the move heralded the beginning of a “challenging and exciting” new era in Irish aviation.
“Under the new arrangements, the three airports will compete with each other and vigorously pursue new business, free from central control,” he said. “This healthy competitive tension and unrestricted quest for new routes, airlines and passengers will grow the business to the benefit of the airports, the regions, tourism, job creation and the country overall.”
Under the plan, debts run up by Shannon and Cork will stay with the Dublin airport company. Overall, the group made a