Future expansion at Shannon airport could come under the remit of a local development body.

Calls have been made to the Department of Transport to look into the possibility of conferring shared responsibility for the airport to Shannon Development and the Shannon Airport Authority.

Mayor of Shannon Sean McLoughlin said the Dublin Airport Authority's (DAA) continued management of the local airport was stifling the facility’s ability to expand and develop new opportunities for itself.

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"The Shannon Airport Authority needs to be able to control its own resources, income sources and marketing strategies without having to contend with the overbearing influence of the Dublin Airport Authority’s ruling hand," he said.

Mr McLoughlin pointed to Shannon Development’s previous involvement in the management of Shannon Airport as an indication of the regional agency’s ability to contribute positively to the airport’s future development.

"A Shannon Development-backed autonomous role for the Shannon Airport Authority would undoubtedly breathe new life into the County Clare Airport and deliver real potential for growth in the future," he added.

(PR/BMcC)