Opposition politicians have called on the Government to apply to the European Union for the retention of the Shannon-Heathrow route as a Public Service Obligation (PSO).
Under EU regulations a PSO serves a peripheral or development region where routes are considered vital for the economic development of the region in which the airport is located.
Labour's Jan O'Sullivan said that following meetings held in Brussels between the Shannon Action Group and EU officials the Government should make the application to protect the sustainability of the region.
Ms O'Sullivan said: "They [the Government] were reluctant to interfere with the Aer Lingus decision up to now because of their interpretation of Company Law.
"However, the grounds for seeking a change now are very different, based on their obligations and rights as a Government rather than as a shareholder of the company."
Kathy Sinnott MEP said that a PSO would enshrine the country's right to retain the Shannon to Heathrow routes which are the "lifeblood of the area".
Ms Sinnott said: "I am not saying that this will be easy, but I believe that we have found a way to ensure the future of these routes and of the Shannon area".