The mayors of two Co Clare towns have warned that Shannon losing its connectivity to Heathrow is threatening job creation in the region.
Clare mayor Cllr Patricia McCarthy and Shannon mayor Cllr Sean McLoughlin said the loss of over 260 jobs at Analog Devices, Rothenberger Ireland and Mohawk Europa "had set a dangerous precedent for other manufacturing operations in the region".
"Should the haemorrhaging of manufacturing jobs continue at its current pace I fear that the foundation for development in the county and wider region will be fatally undermined," Cllr McCarthy said.
She added that uncertainty created by the loss of direct access from Shannon to the Heathrow has created fear that other multinationals could follow suit by announcing job cuts or plans to relocate.
Cllr McCarthy said she expects more job losses in the coming months should the Shannon to Heathrow service be stopped.
"While the link between this week's jobs losses in the midwest and the current dispute over direct flights to London are unknown, it is imperative that the Government is reminded of the potential for further significant job losses in the future," she said.
Aer Lingus management and unions are due back at the Labour Relations Commission for talks over the airline's new Belfast base.