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The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) unveiled its five-year medium-term strategy to grow and develop the airport in Dromoland Castle, Co Clare on 24th November. The SAA is also due to submit a major business plan to the Government next year, but chairman Brian O'Connell was reticent on whether the airport would seek independence from the DAA as part of that process noting "commercial viability of Shannon is key before we decide on independence." Critics believe the sustainability of Shannon is at the stake following the increase in airport charges and there is a belief across many in the business and tourism industries in the region that the DAA effectively ordered the increases and is continuing to have a negative effect in their control of Shannon Airport. Under the plan, annual passenger numbers are targeted to increase to 2.5 million by 2015 and cargo traffic will be a key focus for growth into the future as a core business. From a high of 3.6 million passengers in 2006 and 2007, Shannon Airport's passenger figures decreased to 3.2 million in 2008 before dropping to 2.8 million last year and could drop by almost half to 1.5 million this year. The four elements of the strategy include: -

• Securing more sustainable passenger airline services and routes that provide good connectivity,
• Developing Shannon as a major international cargo airport by capitalising on new trends in global logistics and active discussions with the Lynx group in this regarding are continuing,
• Implementing initiatives to enhance customer experience and
• Returning the airport to profit by increasing income, reducing costs and achieving a greater return from assets.

Business interests are unconvinced by the plan and Brian O’Neill one of the people involved in the ‘Give Shannon Wings’ said that the plan was short on detail. “It’s all very well for the board to say we will have 2.5 million passengers by the year 2015, but where are those passengers going to come from? How is the board going to achieve that? It hasn’t outlined a plan in any detail,” he said. “Ask any accommodation provider and they will tell you there are no tourists in Clare this winter. That’s because we have no routes into Shannon anymore” he added.