The Minister for Transport is in Washington ahead of next week's negotiations between the European Union and the United States on a new open skies agreement for transatlantic passenger air routes.
Martin Cullen held a meeting last night with the US Secretary of Transport, Norman Mineta.
An open skies agreement would free up competition on air routes between the US and Europe which, up to now, have been restricted under bilateral agreements.
It would mean that airlines would be free to fly to destinations of their choosing without government approval.
The Shannon stopover would go under any agreement, however, the Irish Government has attempted to secure a transitional period before that happens.
Last night's meeting between Mr Cullen and Mr Mineta was described by a spokeswoman for the minister as positive.
Officials from the Department of Transport will remain in Washington to attempt to reach an agreement on Shannon before the main EU-US negotiations get underway in Brussels next week.
