PRESS RELEASE

11/05/2005

Cork Airport routes ground sceptical Dublin suits - Kelleher

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has said the announcement that two transatlantic flights per week are to operate from Cork Airport dispels the myth peddled for years by Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta board rooms in Dublin that such routes would not work.

‘This announcement puts paid to Dublin claims that transatlantic routes out of Cork Airport were pie in the sky. Operating two transatlantic flights out of Cork per week is a tremendous vote of confidence in the airport. In 2003, 2.2 million passengers passed through Cork Airport. These new routes will add thousands of passengers to that figure,’ said Deputy Kelleher, who is the deputy Government chief whip.

‘The aircraft will fly between Cork Airport and John F Kennedy Airport in New York - the busiest airport on the eastern US seaboard. The new routes will foster closer links with the US. Cork’s business character is strongly multinational and direct links with New York’s commercial hub and beyond will immeasurably enhance trade investment between the two countries.

‘Both business and leisure passengers will benefit and I would strongly urge the local community to support these new routes and show the suited sceptics in Dublin board rooms that Cork is a thriving urban heartland,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

ENDS