Cork Heathrow Routes of Strategic Importance to South West Region
Cork North West TD, Michael Creed has today called for a Dáil debate to be held regarding the future of Aer Lingus amidst speculation that the airline is the subject of a proposed takeover by IAG. Having raised the matter during the order of business in the Dáil Deputy Creed said:
“The future of Aer Lingus is of strategic national importance and should be debated at this time when speculation is rife that the airline is about to be acquired by IAG. As a 25% shareholder the Government has a say on the future direction of the airline. It is appropriate that the Oireachtas is afforded the opportunity to discuss this matter in order to tease out how best our strategic interests can be met.
“One of Aer Lingus’ key assets are its Heathrow slots. Aer Lingus carried 2.75 million passengers between Irish airports and Heathrow last year and it is estimated that slightly more than 900,000 of them were connecting to or from other flights. These figures illustrate how crucial the Heathrow slots are for Irelands’ access to the world and vice versa. Any suggestion that IAG may attempt to impede on this access for commercial gain must by resisted if at all possible. As a parliament we have a duty to discuss such matters urgently”.