"Shannon's potential as air cargo hub identified"

Friday, October 15, 2004

Shannon's potential as air cargo hub identified
Ireland - The Irish Times


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".


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