The board of Knock airport today distanced itself from comments made by one of its members about the airport being used as a stopover for US military flights.
The board said remarks by Mayo-born entrepreneur Ulick McEvaddy in relation to the possibility of the airport pursuing US military traffic were "his personal opinions".
The airport said it had made no decision to seek or start services for US military aircraft and that any such decision would only be taken in the light of the views of all board members.
"No such proposal has been brought to the airport's board, and the subject has not been considered to date," it said.
The board said its current priorities were "to create medium and long haul passenger flight services, including transatlantic services, for people in the region and for tourists from the United States".
In an interview reported today, Mr McEvaddy - whose refuelling company, Omega Air, has strong ties with the US military - said he did not think that Knock could ever compete with Shannon for US military business due to the limitations of its runway and the fact that extensive duty-free facilities were available at the Co Clare base.
But he said that he had "huge connections" with the US military and that if it came to using them he would. Mr McEvaddy agreed that the use of Knock for US military flights would be controversial but said he would have no misgivings.
In its statement today, the airport board said it is widely acknowledged that Mr McEvaddy is well known and respected within the aviation business worldwide, and this includes the US aviation and military business.
"If at some point in the future, the prospect of pursuing US military business arises, then Mr McEvaddy's views, together with those of all other members, will be taken into consideration and as always we will proceed on consensus basis," it added.
