Shannon Airport can play role in assisting Dublin Airport during difficult time
- Major security delays expected to last 10 weeks
- Poses risk of putting people off of flying to Ireland
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism and Aviation Cathal Crowe is calling for Shannon Airport to be utilised to alleviate pressure on passenger both inbound and outbound to Ireland, via Dublin Airport.
Issues with security are at present leading to significant delays for those using Dublin Airport as a terminus for their travels.
“This afternoon, I joined my Oireachtas Transport Committee colleagues in meeting Dublin Airport Authority’s Chief Executive Dalton Philips and his management staff,” said Deputy Crowe.
“They are doing everything possible to recruit additional security staff but are finding that delays in the Garda vetting process and also enhanced screening measures to be a huge impediment in terms of having staff on the ground.
“I have suggested to the management that flights should be diverted to Shannon Airport, where there is plenty of additional capacity.
“I believe that Shannon could play a significant role in easing the problems that Dublin Airport is facing at this time.
“Shannon is a 30-minute domestic flight from Dublin Airport and a two-and-a-half-hour journey by car or bus.
“When someone arrives at the departure hall of Shannon Airport, they can expect to have gone through the entire security screening process, often in less than half an hour.
“At the moment, passengers arriving at Dublin are being advised to arrive three and a half hours before their flight time.
“Dublin Airport management today advised that it could take anything up to 10 weeks to achieve a full complement of security staff and this 10-week period, worryingly, will coincide with the Easter holiday break and the beginning of the peak summer season.
“Everyone in the tourism sector really looks forward to a recovery this summer but this can only happen if we’re getting visitors into our country.
“I think Shannon, and indeed other airports, can play a major role in that regard over the coming months.
“Dublin Airport management, in response to my proposal, emphasised that flight diversions would be a decision for individual airlines to determine and I know hope to take up the matter with the chief executives of Ryanair and Aer Lingus.”
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