Re KLM Amsterdam talks
Yeah this was mentioned in the link posted by EI-EIDW on Tuesday...
KLM have just announced that it is axing its Liverpool/Amsterdam link. Given this as an example I can't see KLM touching Shannon or Ireland for that matter. Also given the AirFrance experience on Shannon/Paris KLM will have some access to stats re: connecting passengers etc.
The only route to Ireland that could work for KLM would be Dublin/Amsterdam and that's most unlikely to happen given the interlining arrangements that exist on Cork and Dublin via Amsterdam. I would also suggest that Dublin/Amsterdam must be one of Aer Lingus' most profitable routes given the lack of direct competition from other carriers and the good interlining traffic from the route.
I remember reading in the 80s that AerLingus used to pay KLM to stay off the Dublin route, not sure about that for sure but I read it in national papers at that time! Obviously that wouldnt be allowed in these deregulated days!
EI-BUD