Shannon Airport could become "a hub of global significance in the rapidly growing world air freight market", an international committee set up to advise on the airport's development has concluded. Tim O'Brien reports.
The committee, which includes international businessmen from North America and Asia, were asked by Shannon Development to advise on its plans to develop a world "agile logistics hub" around Shannon.
The committee's chairman, Dr Roger Downer, said he was encouraged by the diverse expertise of those involved in the advisory group as well as the project itself.
"I am greatly encouraged that the spirit of partnership that already exists regionally and nationally has now extended to an international group of this calibre," he said.
The national agile logistics hub project will explore the potential for developing both the airport and its hinterland as a major international centre for air cargo and logistics.
The advisory committee's members are Mr Pat Cox, former president of the European Parliament; Dr John Kasarda, professor of management, University of North Carolina; Ms Dora Kay, head of international marketing, Hong Kong Airport Authority; Mr James King, chairman, Shannon Aerospace and Mr Harry McKillop, Ross Perot Group, World Trade Centre, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
The group has been asked to promote the project to an international audience of potential users, investors and partners; identify linkages and synergies with other international hubs; and benchmark the project against best international practice and recommend actions for improving performance.
The chairman of Shannon Development, Mr Liam McElligott, said the enthusiasm of the new committee indicated the agile logistics hub was "a project with potential national and international significance".