Councillor calls for airport to be promoted as tourist attraction

SHANNON Airport needs to be promoted as a tourist attraction in its own right, which could lead to increasing visitor numbers.

That is according to Councillor Pat McMahon, who at a recent meeting of Clare County Council urged that Shannon Airport Authority be requested to consider the creation of new attractions to the airport, or linking existing attractions as a marketing initiative.
He pointed to the Atlantic Air Venture in Shannon as a potential attraction which could be linked with the airport in a bid to bring more visitors to the airport and the region.
“I have always believed that Shannon Airport should be a tourism attraction in its own right. It’s very important for its long-term future that it be viewed as a visitor attraction as well as an airport… I know the airport manager has a job to do and they have been getting more airlines rather consistently. But there are other activities at the airport, there are plane spotters all year round and there could be more revenue earned if there was a designated area,” he added.
He complimented Eddie Ryan of the Atlantic Air Venture saying that young people and schools have “benefited from his foresight”. “There should be a link between them and the airport,” Councillor McMahon suggested. He welcomed recent announcements of new routes out of Shannon and praised the workers at the airport for their efforts dealing with extra air traffic during the recent bad weather.
He stated that closures of other airports in the freezing weather conditions has led to a positive spin-off for Shannon with flights diverting to the region.
Councillor PJ Ryan described the motion as “very timely” and he also praised the Atlantic Air Venture. He agreed that this is an issue that should be emphasised by the council to Shannon Airport Authority. “There are quite a lot of people around the world, who are interested in air travel,” he agreed.
Councillor Johnny Flynn said Shannon Airport is “our key asset in the county”. “Everybody who has met Eddie Ryan is blown away by his energy, enthusiasm and experience. What he has achieved in Shannon is fantastic. A number of months ago, I asked that there be a national welcome centre in Clare where people can get certificates of Irishness. People don’t come here for the weather, they come for the welcome and the experience,” the councillor.
Councillor Gerry Flynn said there has been a “divided focus” with airport development being to the fore, while tourist attractions such as Bunratty and Knappogue castles have been “cast adrift”. “All we can hope for is a new government coming in that will focus on Shannon and other airports and see if we can save them from annihilation.”
Councillor Brian Meaney stated he had “very little trust” in the Dublin Airport Authority, saying that new flight announcements are mainly concentrated on Dublin airport.
He congratulated Shannon Airport director, Mary Considine on her recent appointment saying she will be a “breath of fresh air to the development of the airport”. He encouraged any innovative ideas that would promote the airport. He suggested that one option could be the setting up of a hotel where people flying into the airport can stay for a few hours, similar to the Yotel in Heathrow. “The development of services like that could make Shannon relevant again.” Mayor of Clare Christy Curtin added his support to the motion.