I'd like to hear more details of this encounter. Airlines talk to airports all of the time without getting into serious live negotiations. Shannon's main advantages over Cork and Knock are its longer Runway its customs facility but most importantly of all its brand recognition in the U.S. It's fair to say that many non-Irish people there will have never heard of Cork or Knock. On another issue the airport will have to abandon its single shift strategy if it is to expand further particularly if it wants to attract a service to Heathrow or Schiphol.