Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a public representative based in Limerick, Shannon Airport is important to me so I want to get an understanding. We are going to do a module on national aviation policy. We see nationally that all airports have increased their passenger numbers but Dublin Airport's numbers have increased exponentially faster. As a result, its market share overall has gone sky-high. Shannon and Cork airports have substantial additional capacity. Shannon Airport is a good example. It can take 4.5 million passengers a year. At peak, it had approximately 1.7 million passengers in recent times. I am not totally certain about the Cork Airport numbers. I want to understand the hub system. In regard to the transatlantic flights out of Shannon Airport, will Ms Embleton and Mr. Moriarty explain how many passengers come through hubs? For example, how many come through Heathrow?