Government told plans to scrap Dublin passenger cap may impact Shannon

GOVERNMENT has been warned that it risks making regional imbalance worse if it goes ahead with plans to scrap the cap at Dublin Airport.

That’s according to Karen Ronan, the former boss of the Limerick Region Conference and Sports Bureau, who now leads Galway Chamber.

She was one of the business leaders from across the country who made a submission to ministers on plans to lift the restriction on the number of flights which can operate out of the capital’s airport, and expressed concern at the impact it could have on Shannon.

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Ms Ronan said: “Ireland already has one of the most centralised aviation systems in Europe. About 83% of passengers travel through Dublin Airport, while the five regional airports share the remaining 17%.” She claimed by supporting plans to increase flight numbers from Dublin, Government is contradicting its own policy of promoting both Shannon Airport and Knock Airport.
She said expanding Dublin Airport without a co-ordinated national strategy risks widening regional inequality and placing further strain on infrastructure that is already under pressure.

Ms Ronan insisted Galway Chamber is not opposed to aviation growth

But, she added, they want to see a balanced national approach that protects regional airports and supports long-‑term sustainability.

Galway Chamber represents 500 businesses employing more than 30,000 people along the western sea-board.

Speaking in Limerick two weeks ago, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has insisted the Government wants to see Shannon Airport “grow and grow” - irrespective of the abolition of the Dublin passenger cap.

An Tanaiste said lifting the cap should not be read as a lack of support for Shannon, and the Mid-West’s airport has “a bright future”.

“We need Shannon Airport to grow as well. This isn’t - and nor should it be reduced to - a case of either or. We live on an island. Our airports are absolutely critical for our connectivity. I want to assure the people of the Mid-West that it’s not a question of do we lift the passenger cap, or do we support Shannon. We have to do both,” he said.

Last month, former Limerick Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan, now a Fianna Fail Senator, said Shannon is underutilised by more than two million passengers.

“How can we expect our young start-ups in Limerick and the Mid-West, and our fine businesses in the Mid-West, to develop, expand and to reach their potential when we do not offer them daily business connectivity into our EU marketplace,” she asked during a debate in the Upper House.