THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has announced it has signed an agreement with international cargo group Lynx that could lead to a multi-million dollar development in an air freight hub at Shannon Airport, reports the Irish Times.

    The agreement is not legally binding, but could result in an investment of EUR16 million (US$21.5 million) in a cargo hub at Shannon on the western coast of Ireland, near Limerick.

    This is good news for the once famous and now fading airport that gave the world Irish Coffee and Duty Free Shopping at airports, at a time when its volume is slipping and Ryanair's decision to scale back operations.

    Lynx is expected to market the facility to potential customers and sources indicated that it could be up to 12 months before a binding agreement is signed. The two sides have been exploring the feasibility of developing the cargo hub at Shannon for two years.

    The project could involve the construction of a 200,000 square feet international cargo facility at Shannon. It would represent a joint investment by Lynx and the DAA, which would transfer its existing cargo customers at Shannon to the new hub.

    It is understood that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar supports the proposal, but no comment was available from the DAA. The Shannon Airport Authority has asked it be removed from DAA control and privatised under a 15- to 35-year lease.

    Said Irish Exporters' Association chief John Whelan: "A cargo hub at Shannon could generate valued added industry in the environs of Shannon airport".

    Shannon Airport, the first ever to offer duty-free shops, was the most important gateway to Europe from America from 1945 until 1960 when propeller-driven transatlantic flights were slow and bone rattling and required many refueling stops.

    Hence the invention of Irish Coffee to keep arriving rattled passengers alert and cheerful. In a country regards such things with due importance, the NSAI, Ireland's ISO unit, published an Irish Standard (IS417) Irish Coffee in 1988.

    With the advent of longer range jet aircraft in the 1960s, the airport was increasingly bypassed and faded in importance. Last year, even Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus announced with was ending its winter New York, Boston, Shannon service.

(source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)