AER LINGUS should reconsider the decision to move its Heathrow slot from Shannon to Belfast as it has now been shown to be a poor commercial decision, according to Clare TD Pat Breen of Fine Gael.
The comments come after figures show the airline is 33 per cent down on passenger numbers on the Belfast-Heathrow route compared to the Shannon-Heathrow route during the same period last year.
Mr Breen said much of what was said at the time has been vindicated and it is clear that the new route "was poorly chosen in favour of a busier and profit-making Shannon route". The move was supported by the political establishment at the time because of the ongoing peace process in the North and it was seen as important in that context, he said. "But Aer Lingus also has a duty to its shareholders and it now needs to be explained to them how a successful route which Aer Lingus had to itself was abandoned."
Mr Breen claimed the Shannon-Heathrow route gave guarantees to Aer Lingus in an economic environment that sees many airlines cutting back on less profitable routes.
"I know that Dermot Mannion told the transport committee that Aer Lingus was keeping all its options open and I would now call on them to look at the secure and profitable opportunity they had in Shannon in a different light based on the Belfast experience."
He said there has been a noticeable effect on business in the area with job losses in Co Clare and the west which would not be easily replaced.