A major government funded marketing campaign should be launched to maximise the opportunity to increase air traffic through Shannon following on it’s approval as a pre-clearance airport for the USA.

This was proposed by Marian Harkin MEP when she welcomed the announcement that a pre-clearance facility was to be located at Shannon.

“Increased traffic through Shannon will create new jobs and there is an outstanding case to be made that IDA funds should be dedicated to an intensive marketing campaign in countries like Russia whose wealth has meant a huge volume of air traffic to the USA”, she said.

IDA funding for such activity was as valid as any investment in attracting foreign direct investment into Ireland as the end objective was to create sustainable jobs, she said.

“International tourist and business traffic to the USA will be one of the permanent features of East-West connectivity and the opportunity to have pre-clearance before arriving at US cities will be welcomed by those who are made aware of it’s existence and advantages", Marian Harkin MEP said.