Mr O’Leary shared: The American Chamber of Commerce and Airlines for America, the American Airline lobbying group, have already raised the issue regarding the growth of American Airlines in Dublin. I think one of the main points Donald Trump is likely to discuss with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day will be why the Irish government is blocking this growth. What will Micheál Martin’s answer be? He might say they are doing everything possible, but he should have sent a letter before arriving at the White House. He should emphasize that they are creating an environment for more American Airlines growth in Dublin and question why they are hesitating.
Here’s an important story to share during the visit: Ireland, particularly through Ryanair, is one of the biggest purchasers of American-made goods. We have $35 billion in aircraft orders over the next decade for Boeing-made aircraft, making us Boeing’s biggest customer by far. However, it would be embarrassing if we enter the meeting with the knowledge that Ireland is the largest buyer of American-made aircraft, yet we can’t land any of those aircraft at Dublin Airport due to an 18-year-old traffic cap. Can you imagine trying to explain that to Donald Trump?
We need to articulate that Ireland is a major buyer of American goods, citing Ryanair as a prime example. Trump is well aware of Ryanair; I’ve spoken to him when he was seeking additional flights for his Turnberry golf course and Shannon for Doonbeg. We have a strong selling point with Doonbeg, and we should extend an invitation for a state visit to him before he travels to the UK. It would be beneficial to brief him in person, allowing him to engage with our president about relevant topics and possibly discuss further commercial opportunities.
If he desires developments for his golf course, we should be prepared to accommodate that; he operates on a transactional basis, and Ireland has a compelling narrative to present. This could echo discussions from over a decade ago, when he wanted more routes to Prestwick, and we had constructive conversations about it. He’s known for his extensive dialogue and advocacy for aviation growth.
While I have no issue with expanding flights into Prestwick or Shannon, I think it’s important to emphasize the success of Shannon Airport, which now hosts a significant number of flights, including three based aircraft. Moreover, one of the largest U.S. exporters of manufactured goods is Boeing. Although I doubt Trump will impose tariffs on aircraft, as doing so could negatively impact Airbus—60% of the cost of an Airbus involves U.S. manufactured parts—I recognize his unpredictable nature.
While threats might arise regarding tariffs, such as the proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian aluminum, I doubt these threats will lead to concrete actions, especially when those industries are interconnected. It would surprise me if tariffs were placed on either Airbus or Boeing aircraft, but it remains a possibility. Beyond Trump, I urge Taoiseach Martin and the government to create an environment conducive to bringing more aircraft to Dublin over the next eight years, generating additional jobs, increasing tourism, and enriching the Irish economy. The government has had three months since taking office—what are we waiting for?
