Air chiefs deny Ryanair preference deal
The Irish Aviation Authority has strongly denied ordering its Air Traffic Controllers at Shannon Airport to give preferential treatment to Ryanair.
Only days after the resolution of the ATC dispute, it has emerged that the IAA issued a directive to its controllers in Shannon detailing the airline's operational preferences in the wake of Shannon becoming one of its hubs.
The memo, obtained by the Sunday Independent, which was issued to all air traffic control staff, says that following consultation with the airline, clearance is to be given to Ryanair aircraft before pushback and departure instructions are to be given prior to line up. This would allow the low-cost airline to meet its tight deadlines and is not normally given to other airlines flying in and out of the Shannon terminal.
The memo said: "Discussions were held with Ryanair to establish their preferred operational practices and to facilitate their operations as much as possible."
Dated May 2005, the memo also said that Ryanair aircraft are to be advised of track miles to touchdown on contact with approach.
Sources at Shannon said that the issuing of the directive was seen by controllers as a means of giving Ryanair preference over other airlines.
The IAA confirmed that the issuing of such a directive only occurred in the case of Ryanair, but that is because they have 28 flights out of Shannon. The IAA also stated that the memo was for "information purposes only."
A spokeswoman for the IAA said: "We meet with all our customers each year, every year, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Delta all of them. So, as Ryanair are one of our leading customers, we met and continue to meet with them to discuss their operational preferences. That is normal.
"Let me state very clearly, there is no cosy relationship with Ryanair. Someone is leaking selective material to paint an untrue picture. Any suggestion of a cosy relationship is total and utter nonsense."
The air traffic controllers last week postponed their threat to shut airports nationwide, but pressed on with their demands for more staff and better overtime pay.
Around 300 air traffic controllers had voted to walk off their jobs on Thursday if the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) did not promise to raise overtime benefits and hire more controllers.
- DANIEL MCCONNELL EXCLUSIVE
