While passenger numbers reached nearly 1.9 million in 2018, it has capacity to deal with 4.5 million passengers. Nearly 95% of Irish air traffic growth in the last five years goes through Dublin Airport, putting greater pressure on the capital’s airport. It is important to note that Shannon International Airport can immediately relieve the congestion in Dublin Airport.
Enhancing connectivity from Shannon International Airport to drive economic development along the entire west coast of Ireland, the Region and beyond is a priority for the Limerick-Shannon MASP. It is imperative that the connections from Shannon are maintained and improved. Year-round connectivity to transatlantic and European hubs will be vital to support both business and tourism.
Limerick-Shannon MASP Policy Objective 15
Shannon International Airport a. The Limerick-Shannon MASP recognises Shannon International Airport as a national and infrastructural driver of economic, social and tourism growth. It is an objective to develop and enhance the strategic role of Shannon International Airport and to advocate for a policy environment that supports a regional distribution of air traffic and for a greater regional focus by national agencies. b. It is an objective, subject to the outcome of environmental assessments and the planning process, to supports the utilisation of the existing
investment in Shannon International Airport and its surrounding land bank to act as a catalyst for economic growth in our Region. c. The Limerick-Shannon MASP recognises and supports the role of IASC as a significant opportunity for the Metropolitan Area to become a global player in the aerospace industry. It is an objective to develop the IASC cluster at Shannon as recognised in National Aviation Policy and to work to ensure that cross-agency cooperation will continue to develop the IASC to meet industry demand.
8.6 | Shannon Foynes Port As Ireland’s second largest port in terms of total throughput/trade handled and access to deep-water resources, Shannon Foynes Port is designated as a Tier 1 Port of National Significance.
of Shannon Foynes Port onto the EU core network corridor as it brings significant investment opportunities in the form of FDI potential and as well as supporting enhanced connectivitywith Ireland’s Europeanpartners. The N69 route to Foynes does not meet the standards of reliability and connectivity required to serve a port to support foreign and indigenous investment, nor to maximise tourism potential. The delivery of the Foynes to Limerick Road improvement scheme is a key infrastructural project. Connectivity to the motorway network will be critical to increasing the Ports economic impacts in the future. Reinstatement of the Limerick to Foynes rail line, linking Ireland’s deepest port to the national rail network is a key priority for Shannon Foynes Port. The MASP supports this ambition, as it will enhance Shannon Foynes Port as key future growth enabler.
This means that the port must continue to play a key role, both regionally and nationally, in meeting the external trading requirements of the Irish economy and that the continued successful commercial development of the Port represents a key policy objective. While it is located outside the MASP area, the Port is of strategic importance to the Limerick-ShannonMetropolitan Area. The MASP supports the continued development of Shannon Foynes Port and recognises the significant opportunities for the Region and Ireland due to its deep waters. The MASP supports and promotes the inclusion
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
299
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker