The Ryanair proposal to fly extra routes from Shannon in return for being allowed to implement its plan for a second terminal at Dublin Airport is a clever enough pitch to try to win political hearts and minds.
The airline knows well that, politically, the Government will be keen to do whatever possible to underpin Shannon, especially as the ridiculous restriction obliging airlines to match transatlantic flights into Dublin with those stopping in Shannon will have to be dropped one of these years.
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke recently said that the rule would stay for the moment, but would be reconsidered if Shannon could rack up a few years of good growth.
Equally, Ryanair's offer to develop a new terminal at Dublin Airport appeals to the pro-competition wing of the Government - i.e. Mary Harney. With planning restrictions making Baldonnel an unlikely sight for a full passenger airport, a new development at the existing site looks the best bet.
Ryanair has been lobbying hard on its plan. Mary Harney has already come out in support and other senior Ministers, including Charlie McCreevy, are believed to be broadly supportive. So too, of course, is Clare TD and Minister for the Gaeltacht, Sile de Valera.
However, Ms O'Rourke and her senior officials do not appear to favour the plan, leaving the way open for a ding-dong political battle. Forget all the talk of "consultants reports". This one now looks set to come down to a good old-fashioned political scrap.
