Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said he believes the Government will recover jobs lost at Shannon Airport.
He was speaking after Aer Lingus announced on Tuesday that it was to permanently close its base there.
Some 45 ground staff will be laid off, while 81 crew are being offered 'enhanced redundancy' or a transfer to Dublin.
The Irish flag carrier also announced it was closing its Cork base from September until November, with 198 staff being laid off for three months.
The IAG-owned airline had temporarily laid-off Shannon staff back in March, saying increased travel restrictions in Ireland - and the subsequent negative impact on demand for travel - prompted 'a review of its schedule and operations'.
While Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has suggested it would be August at the earliest before international travel resumes.
Minister Ryan told Newstalk Breakfast they want to see aviation back open again soon - but on a proper footing.
"There is every urgency, but what we don't want to do is bring something back and then have to close it again.
"Talking to the aviation industry, which we've done consistently throughout this crisis, what they don't want is a stop-start approach."
He said clarity on aviation will be given "before the end of the [sic] May.
"And it will be in line with [what] our European colleagues are doing - that digital passport will give us the capability of returning aviation.
"We want those jobs back in Shannon, we want those jobs - and we will get those jobs back in Cork - and I believe in Shannon.
"But we'll do it best when we get this gradual easing out and restrictions of lockdown right.
"International aviation has to come back, we're going to do everything to get it back and do it on a consistent basis".
