The decision by BMI not to open a Shannon - Heathrow route puts the focus firmly back on the Government and Aer Lingus. It has been known for some time that BMI was extremely unlikely to open this route but now that it has been confirmed publicly the spotlight is firmly back on the immediate need for Government action.
According to Marian Harkin MEP "Time is running out and the Government cannot continue to abdicate its responsibilities with regard to Shannon. The Government is a significant shareholder in Aer Lingus and as such has real leverage with Aer Lingus. The hand of the Government has been strengthened by the fact that the business case for switching the slots from Shannon to Belfast is not proving to be a sound one. Seat sales are extremely disappointing on this already competitive route so commercially it is not proving to be a good decision. It is perfectly reasonable for the Government to call an EGM to request the business case for the switch from Shannon to Belfast be outlined in the context of future Aer Lingus plans. If the business case does not stack up then it is also perfectly reasonable to ask for a return of these slots to Shannon. At the very least some kind of compromise could be reached. A return of three slots would ensure a win win situation for everybody. Belfast would not be abandoned and Shannon could continue to grow its business. The Government would be seen to have acted responsibly and nobody including the Aer Lingus Board would have to do a U-turn.
The only situation where a compromise would not be acceptable to Aer Lingus is where they intend to move altogether from Shannon in the longer term or they intend to sell these four Heathrow slots or maximise the profits of the Heathrow slots through long haul. If any of these scenarios are part of the long term Aer Lingus plan then the Government has no choice but to act to prevent that happening. Before they can act, they need to have the information and in that context, calling an EGM to discuss the future plans for Aer Lingus is an absolute necessity and furthermore it needs to be done immediately.
The Government can no longer wash their hands of the situation. They have a responsibility as share holders. Crucially they have a responsibility as elected representatives to ensure that connectivity to the most important business and tourism hub in the world, Heathrow, is not high jacked by a private company. Those slots were purchased by the Irish State for Irish citizens and to allow a private company to dispose of them without due regard for the West and Mid-West would be a total abdication of all Government responsibility
