A Tipperary man who worked for 40 years for Aer Rianta has been appointed Russia's first honorary consul in Ireland.
Mr Michael Guerin, a former general manager of Aer Rianta International, the company's overseas duty-free operation, will be based in Limerick with responsibility for the mid-west region. He was formally appointed to the position by the Russian ambassador to Ireland, Mr Evgueni Mikhailov, at a ceremony hosted by Limerick Chamber of Commerce.
Presenting Mr Guerin with his accreditation papers, Mr Mikhailov said he would be of great assistance in dealing with economic and cultural co-operation and tourism and youth exchange programmes.
Mr Guerin, originally from Templemore, Co Tipperary, who retired five years ago as general manager of Aer Rianta, said the appointment was a recognition of the long-standing relationship that developed between Aer Rianta and Aeroflot, the Russian national airline.
Mr Eamon O'Brien, president of the chamber, said he expected the presence of an honorary consul would improve business between the mid-west and Russia. He also hoped it would lead to expanding cultural relations.
As general manager of Aer Rianta International in 1979, Mr Guerin conceived the idea and negotiated the agreement that led to the storage of Soviet aviation fuel at Shannon. Russian tankers brought the fuel from the Baltic ports to the jetty beside the airport which enabled Shannon Aviation Fuels, an Aer Rianta subsidiary, to supply Aeroflot's needs. Aer Rianta was also able to sell the fuel to other airlines.
Mr Guerin won the Innovation of the Year award for the Soviet joint venture and the establishment of the US pre-clearance scheme at Shannon where US immigration officials process visas before passengers embark.