Aer Lingus CEO Dermot Mannion, who is in Shannon today, has told local politicians and business leaders that the company will not be changing its decision to discontinue air services to and from London Heathrow.
He said the volume of negative reaction to the decision has exceeded anything the company had expected but there was still no basis for a change of policy on the Heathrow route.
However, he said the Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow, which are now leased to other airlines, will become available again in 2009 and 2011.
Mr Mannion added that at that time the company would look at the 'competing opportunities' of Shannon and other airports.
Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said he would continue to fight the move inside and outside the Cabinet and he was not considering resignation in protest at the decision.
After a meeting with Mr Mannion this morning, Mr O'Dea said nothing would be achieved by his resignation and he would abide by Cabinet collective responsibility.
The minister said the meeting was a very constructive one, while Mr Mannion said he would discuss the matter further with the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey.
Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman and deputy chief executive Niall Walsh also sat in on the meeting, as did Junior Minister Tony Killeen.
Last night, the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance, which is leading the campaign to save the Heathrow services, said it was disappointed by a Government announcement that it will not attempt to block the Aer Lingus decision.
Meanwhile, employers' group IBEC has published the results of a new survey of 200 companies in the Mid-West.
92% of chief executives said the loss of the Heathrow link would have a negative effect on jobs and job creation in the region, with 56% considering it negative for their own company.
