[Article] Cullen welcomes move on Open Skies

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/9961850?view=Eircomnet

Cullen welcomes move on Open Skies
From:ireland.com
Saturday, 3rd March, 2007

The Minister for Transport Martin cullen welcomed the draft agreement between the EU and the United States which opens up the possibility of restrictions on transatlantic flights between the US and Ireland being lifted.

Mr Cullen said the move was a good day for Irish tourism, avaiation and the economy.

The Open Skies deal will be put before EU transport ministers at a meeting in Brussels on March 22 nd. If passed, it could mean that Aer Lingus and other airlines could operate routes from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to an unlimited number of cities in the US. However, the deal would also see the phasing-out of the Shannon stop-over.

At present Aer Lingus is limited to serving just four cities in the USA - New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Mr Cullen said the draft agreement offers new opportunities for Irish airports and Aer Lingus. ''I am delighted with the progress that has been made this week by the European and American negotiating teams. This is a wonderful opportunity for countries on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.

Chris_533976

Good.

Heard they're doing something like that in the UK too, trying to let BMI and other budget ones do transatlantic too.

BuffyBot

Chris_533976 wrote:

Good.

Heard they're doing something like that in the UK too, trying to let BMI and other budget ones do transatlantic too.

Open Skies applies to the EU as a whole...

bmi already to transatlantic routes, but they want the right to do them from Heathrow also. Access to Heathrow was also a major sticking point in these negotiations.

dmeehan

This announcement is a cue for all the Shannon Stop Over whingers to recommence their whingeing about how shannon airport will grind to a halt if the Government doesnt give them a grant or some other freebie handout