The Government should end the "crazy" split between Dublin and Shannon airports imposed on Irish airlines, former Aer Lingus chief executive Mr Willie Walsh said today.
He told a meeting of air industry officials at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin that an "open skies" policy needed to be implemented for the benefit of both airlines and passengers.
"Restrictions on the [US] gateways that the Irish carriers can use and the 50/50 Shannon and Dublin split restricts not only the airlines but the passengers as well.
"To move to open skies would greatly increase the number of destinations served and further competition," he said.
Mr Walsh, who left Aer Lingus two weeks ago, told the meeting that although the company's flights between Dublin and New York's JFK, made a profit in 10 out of 12 months in 2001, routes from Shannon to JFK were loss-making for 10 months in the year.
"Airlines are being forced to generate profitability on Dublin routes to offset losses on the Shannon routes," he said.
Mr Walsh said it was clear there was a demand for services into Shannon, predominantly from the east coast of the US, and that even with deregulation the demand would remain.
It was not the responsibility of airlines to stimulate regional development, he added.
Mr Walsh and two top management officers left the Aer Lingus in January, amid concerns over a potential conflict of interest. After leaving the State airline, Mr Walsh is understood to be considering a number of offers in the aviation industry.
PA