DUBLIN

[akerosid]

"Spotters dream on".

Let's not bandy around the word "Spotters" too freely; sure, we're all aviation enthusiasts, but it's all too easy for people in authority to dismiss certain opinions simply because they come from "spotters"!

Apparently, Pat Kenny had an interview on his show (which will be carried on to next week, due to a lack of time) about DUB and it mentioned runway issues; the guy he was talking to - Eoghan Corry - apparently suggested that the AI deal and EK might be out the window due to runway length. This will be discussed next week, so no doubt the DAA will be listening with some trepidation. Probably ND and the Dept of Transport too, if they can summon up the interest.

We can go on debating (and it's not much of a debate because most of us seem to agree!) the runway issue, but really it's going to take the splash of cold water in losing AI (a link to one of the world's fastest growing economies) to shake people into action. I would hate to see DUB lose AI if it's really a serious possibility, but if it means that we finally start to take seriously the requirements of long haul air traffic, then so be it.

Remember the terminal issue; can you recall how the need for change was identified and acted upon? Was it the initiative on the govt's part? Was it hell! No, it was a growing clamour of people calling for it and it may have to be like this again. If the interest isn't there, then it will need to be "encouraged".