Naughten warns Shannon plan must not threaten Knock

Local TD Denis Naughten has expressed concern regarding support by the Department of Transport for a plan at Shannon Airport with an objective to take passengers from Knock Airport. Speaking after the meeting for the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, Denis Naughten said: "Not only does the Transport Minister's plans undermined Knock Airport form a competitive perspective by providing several million euro in working capital annually, but it also sets as an objective the targeting Knock passengers to use Shannon airport instead." He pointed out that rather than putting Knock and Shannon airports in a head to head competition, the Department of Transport should be promoting co-operation between both airports to promote and develop the whole West & Mid-west Region." "Knock presently supports tourism in the region to the tune of €111 Million each year and unless a fair plan for both airports is put in place, the Department's proposal will represent a directly threat to the future of local businesses" concluded Denis Naughten.