Commercial mandate
The DAA claims that it's mandate is to operate the 3 airports on a Commercial basis. It's therefore meant to be getting a return for investments it makes on behalf of the taxpayer.
This means that all 3 airports should be profitable. It's obvious that Shannon and Cork are not run on this basis although Cork's difficulty is primarily due to the massive investment made there in recent years to make up for decades of neglect as far as infrastructure was concerned.
The nervousness and unease among Shannon and Cork staff at the prospect of being employed at Independent Stand alone airports tells it own story.
If they were being run on a commercial basis they would have nothing to worry about.
Of course the direct subsidies been giving to regional airports does make it more difficult.
Why can't we have a level playing pitch?