Cork Airport - Further Development

Cork Airport continues growth.

Cork Airport today opened a new Airport Control Centre and purpose-built office as it plans for continued growth.

“We are delighted to officially open our open plan office facility (the Hub) in the terminal, along with the Airport Control Centre today," said Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport.

"As we are well and truly into our fourth consecutive year of growth, these new facilities are vital to our future growth with an anticipated 2.6 million passengers expected to travel through the airport this year, an expected increase of 8% on 2018 passenger numbers.

“We continue to invest in our infrastructure to match the strong forecasted growth ahead, to meet the needs of our passengers, airline customers as well as our staff."

Cork Airport - Boeing 737 Max

CORK air passengers face an anxious wait to find out if the decision to suspend the operation of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Irish airspace will affect the Cork to Providence transatlantic route.

The decision was made by the Irish Aviation Authority in the light of two fatal accidents involving the aircraft in recent months, including the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday.

Flights between Cork and the Rhode Island airport, near Boston, are set to resume next month and operate three times per week across the summer months.

The route provider, Norwegian, announced yesterday that it would not operate any flights with Boeing 737 MAX aircraft type until further notice.

Airport Delays 07.12.2013

Technical problems at the air traffic control centre is causing delays at airports across the UK.
A Stansted Airport spokesman said all of its departing flights were subject to delays of between 30 minutes and two hours, while Gatwick Airport said 20pc of its departures had been delayed, with passengers warned they could wait for "a couple of hours".The British National Air Traffic Services (Nats) said the issue stemmed from it control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.
A spokesman said: "Due to a technical problem at Swanwick, we are currently experiencing some difficulty switching from night-time to daytime operation. This may result in some delays, for which we apologise.
 
A spokeswoman for Dublin Airport said: "I understand that there are some flight delays as a result of air traffic control issues in the UK."
Aer Lingus has said that one in 10 flights into and out of the country are delayed.
Among delays the airline listed by Ryanair were its flight from London Luton to Dublin, London Stansted to Dublin, Dublin to Birmingham, Dublin to Newcastle and Cork to London Stantstead.
The Stansted spokesman said: "There are restrictions on the air space and the flow of aircraft. Our first departures go at 6am, so that's when the problems started."

Ryanairs Plans for Cork Airport

Ryanair is unlikely to start any new routes from Cork until next September, with the airline saying yesterday that it will be harder to grow from there than from other Irish airports.
Speaking at the launch of the airline’s latest Irish-based expansion — nine new routes from Dublin Airport, creating 1,000 jobs and potentially delivering an additional 700,000 passengers per year — Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said expansion talks are ongoing with Cork and Kerry airports, but that the airline’s additional growth at both will be relatively modest and not as immediate as at other centres.

Ryanair reacted to the Government’s budget pledge to scrap the consumer travel tax by saying it will grow its traffic through Irish airports by around one million passengers per year. Since the budget announcement, the airline has added eight new routes from Shannon and three at Knock. All, including the new ones at Dublin, will come on stream next spring/summer. Whatever is expanded at Cork, however, is unlikely to technically begin until next September.

New figures from the Dublin Airport Authority show that passenger flow through Dublin Airport is up by 8% in the year-to-date; while Cork is down 2%.

DAA chief Kevin Toland said that while Ryanair’s recent announcement of a Cork-to-East Midlands service is welcome, overall recovery at Cork Airport will be a long journey.

Mr O’Leary, meanwhile, said the removal of the travel tax was key to his airline’s growth plans for Ireland, adding that the real barrier has been the tax and not airport charges, which are set to stay frozen for a third straight year at DAA airports in 2014. He added that Ryanair’s relationship with the DAA has been unfairly categorised as being poor, explaining that the two bodies have ups and downs, but are currently entering into an ‘up’ period.

Regarding Transport Minister Leo Varadkar’s statement that the travel tax could be re-introduced if airlines didn’t positively respond to its scrapping, Mr O’Leary said that if that happened it would likely have the same effect as it did in the first place, and drive growth to other EU countries.

The Government broadly welcomed Ryanair’s ongoing expansion and urged other airlines to follow suit.

On other issues, Mr O’Leary reiterated that Ryanair is open to selling its stake in Aer Lingus, adding that he would encourage any interested party to open discussions. He also denied that Ryanair was attempting to launch a wide-reaching price war in the European market.
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Cork Airport Customs

Guiltily slinking through arrivals, I will do my best law-abiding citizen walk past the watchful eyes of customs officers. “Good communications skills are important for any customs official. We would be the first person, in uniform, passengers will meet coming off a plane,” says Joe Martin Sullivan, customs enforcement manager at Cork Airport. “They may be disgruntled about a delayed flight, travel plans that went wrong, or simply weary after a long day — there is always an element of stress involved. People will, generally, be slightly nervous about encountering someone in uniform, and, in that regard, an understanding of human behavior would be important in the job.”

Cork and Dublin Airport Expansion

Ryanair is hoping to conclude negotiations regarding the expansion of its services at Cork and Dublin airports within the next couple of weeks. Last month, the airline said it would increase its traffic through Irish airports by at least one million passengers per year, in direct response to the Government abolishing the controversial €3 consumer travel tax in the budget.

In the last couple of weeks, it has unveiled three new routes at Ireland West/ Knock Airport and eight new routes at Shannon. A mix of new routes and expanded existing ones are expected to be unveiled at both Dublin and Cork in the coming weeks.

In its first-half commentary yesterday, Ryanair said that the new routes and bases it unveiled this summer performed well (albeit at weaker yields) with high-cost competitor airlines cutting capacity in major markets such as France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy continuing to create growth opportunities for the Dublin-based carrier.

The airline also said that it will introduce full allocated seating on its fleet from the beginning of next February — in essence doing away with the free-for-all which still largely exists on its planes at boarding time. Passengers will pay €5, however, to pick their own seats when checking in online.

Despite yesterday’s profit warning, Ryanair said its lowering expectations for its full-year profitability is symptomatic of a softening marketplace; adding that it still retains one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry and is 90% hedged on its fuel needs for its current financial year.

As part of its ongoing €1bn return to shareholders by the end of Mar 2015, another €150m will be returned.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

Cork Airport to keep 24-hour status

Assurances have been made that the 24-hour landing capability at Cork Airport will remain. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar had indicated the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) was considering the introduction of “limited restrictions” to controller services at Cork Airport.
However Cork Chamber chief executive, Conor Healy outlined that having undergone “productive and constructive consultation” with the Authority, an agreement has been reached to retain the service level.
“We have been steadfast in wholly opposing the proposal to reduce air traffic control coverage over recent months and have now reached a position where concrete assurances have been received from the IAA to provide effective 24-hour access to Cork Airport.” he said.
“Having explored how the requirements of all sides could be met, the proposal which has now been agreed between Cork Chamber, Cork Airport and the IAA will safeguard the competitiveness of Cork Airport. Cork Chamber has received confirmation that there will be no impact on existing air traffic - passenger or cargo; nor will the proposal in any way affect potential new business at the airport or hamper the expansion of existing air services.”

The Faces of Cork

FACES of Cork is a unique photographic exhibition in the year of The Gathering that will not only be enjoyed by well over 1.25 million passengers passing through Cork Airport this summer but will also inspire people to donate by text and help two very deserving Cork-based charities, Friends of Marymount Hospice and Haven.
It was officially launched by one of the 63 chosen subjects, rugby legend Ronan O’Gara and among the West Cork faces featured are filmmaker Sir David Puttnam, food artisan Sally Barnes, Baltimore lifeboat coxswain Kieran Cotter and Glandore fisherman Lar Casey.  Several of the pictures also adorn buildings at several locations in the city.
Donate
Everyone is asked to show his or her appreciation by texting the word ‘Face’ and the number 50300 which will automatically donate €4 to be shared equally between Marymount and Haven, with 100% of the money going to both charities.
Ronan O’Gara said he was there because he believed fully in both charities. Marymount Hospice was close to the hearts of all because there wasn’t a family in Cork not affected by terminal illness.
 Its chairman Dr Cillian Twomey, was a long-time family friend whose advice at the start of his sporting career he would always remember, but he also wished to acknowledge the fabulous work he and the Curraheen-based charity did.
Haiti-based Irish NGO, Haven, he continued, was doing fantastic work since the terrible earthquake of January 2010 and he was privileged to become very close to and associated with Carmel and Leslie Buckley and learn about the amazing work they and Denis O’Brien and volunteers were doing day-in day-out.
He concluded by paying tribute to all the lensmen, main sponsors Cork Airport and Cork City Councils, the County Council, O’Callaghan Properties, Therapy, The Body Shop, The Sextant Bar, Imperial Hotel, Mayne’s and McCarthy Insurance Group and all those photographed.
Dr Cillian Twomey joined with Ronan in thanking all associated with ‘Faces of Cork’ as well as Tony O’Brien and Marian Murphy of Marymount Hospice and St Patrick’s Hospital, Curraheen and said the charity was delighted to be have been one of the two chosen. He urged people to text ‘like mad’.
Returned thanks
Leslie Buckley returned thanks on behalf of Haven and specially praised Ronan O’Gara for the many hours of enjoyment he gave in sport, to Cork Airport and Green Man Studio for the unbelievable display area on the ground floor and initiator Dennis Horgan. He also acknowledged the input of fellow Haven workers, of which over 1,500 have travelled to work on the Caribbean island where over 2.1 million were made homeless in 2010 and 360,000 still remain so.  He urged people to pledge their support by texting ‘Face 50300.’
MC was Kevin Cullinane, marketing manager, Cork Airport who said airport users this summer will get the chance to get up close and personal with the many varied faces of Cork in all their guises.
Other ‘faces’ to view on the ground floor of the airport include entertainer Joe Mac (McCarthy), GAA stars Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Eoin Cadogan, rugby Lion Simon Zebo, soprano Cara O’Sullivan, artist Kevin Sanquest, singer-songwriter John Spillane, ‘Echo Boy’ Michael O’Regan, TV presenter Bill O’Herlihy, rugby pundit George Hook, photographer Billy MacGill, broadcaster Marcus Connaughton, community activist Bob Seward, Olympic sailor Peter O’Leary, special Olympian Roy Saville, publisher Con Collins, adventurer Pat Falvey and others from all walks of life in the city and county.
The attendance included, then Lord Mayor of Cork John Buttimer, Deputy County Mayor John A Collins and Co Manager Martin Riordan, Lilibeth Horne and Liz O’Farrell of Cork Airport,  Regina Donnelly of Marymount, Kylie Basnett of Cork International Airport Hotel and most of those featured in photographs, including Michael Twomey and Frank Duggan, who along with Billa O’Connell were recently made Freemen of Cork. Music was provided by Evelyn Grant.
By Leo McMahon

Cork Airport could lose 24-hour status

The Irish Aviation Authority is considering a cut in air-traffic control cover at Cork Airport, ending its 24-hour landing capability and potentially impacting on the airport’s ability to grow business.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has confirmed that the IAA — which provides air traffic control services across the country — is considering the introduction of “limited restrictions” to controller services at Cork Airport “as a result, in particular, of low night time traffic levels at the airport”.

While no details have been given as to how many hours would be lost, a Cork Airport spokesman said the facility was opposed to any reduction to the current round-the- clock cover.

“Cork Airport and Dublin Airport Authority, which operates both Cork and Dublin airports, have stressed to the IAA that any proposed changes to these services at Cork Airport cannot impact on current or prospective passenger and freight traffic at Cork,” he said.

Mr Varadkar’s party colleague and local Cork TD Jerry Buttimer, said he had raised the importance of maintaining Cork Airport’s status with the minister last week.

“I would not be happy to see any dilution of service in Cork because it is important it is seen within the global market as being an airport open for business, be it cargo, freight, tourism, or commercial traffic at all times,” said Mr Buttimer.

“We require a resilient and dynamic plan for Cork to attract new airlines to come in and to increase passenger numbers. We should see no reduction in hours.

“Cork Airport is pivotal to the development of the southern region. Therefore there is an obligation on the IAA to ensure that the airport is available for any type of traffic at all hours of day or night.”

However, Mr Varadkar has admitted that he has no statutory function in relation to the matter as the IAA is empowered by legislation to operate and manage terminal navigation services as it sees fit.

The IAA has delayed the introduction of the changes to control cover for six months during which it will monitor traffic through the airport at night.

It is also due to consult with airport management and local business representatives on its plans at a meeting on Aug 26. 

By Stephen Rogers
Irish Examiner Reporter

Cork Airport losses set for E6m

Cork Airport is hopeful of breaking even by the end of 2014, despite showing no real improvement in losses last year.

While the airport’s owner, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), does not break out financial figures for its individual airports, it is thought that Cork made a cash loss — before depreciation — of around €6m last year.

The DAA previously said cumulative cash losses — excluding depreciation — amounted to €12m over 2010 and 2011, and it is understood that no major improvement was seen last year.

Speaking yesterday at the publication of the DAA’s annual report, CEO Kevin Toland said a business improvement plan for Cork Airport is under way and progress will be made on the asset over time.

The DAA said in October it would be reviewing existing work structures at Cork, claiming changes would be required in order for sustainable future growth to be achievable. A mix of 30 redundancies, further cost reductions, changes in work practices, and an increase in non-aeronautical revenues should see the airport break even by the end of next year.

Approximately €4m is to be cut from labour costs, it is understood.

On a group-wide basis, the DAA generated pre- tax profits of just over €85.6m in 2012 — down by around 7% on the previous year. Group turnover increased from €558.1m to €574.6m.

Passenger numbers rose by 2% to 19.1m at Dublin Airport; while numbers dipped by 1% to 2.3m at Cork — although international traffic did rise by 1% there, during the year.

The Aer Rianta overseas division — which operates international duty free shops and has a stake in Dusseldorf Airport — generated sales growth of 5% and a profit of €27.4m; opening its first outlet in China and winning preferred bidder status for the main duty free concession at the new terminal at Mumbai Airport, which should be operating by early next year.

Group net debt was reduced by 8% — or €60m — to €675m, with 85% of the remaining figure not due to mature for another five years. Mr Toland said the 2012 figures represented a resilient and solid performance for the DAA, and that a solid start to 2013 had been made against a continually difficult background.

Geoff Percival Irish Examiner

Business Park joins forces with twin city

John Coughlan, Business Development Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park Development and Gerry Wycherley, Cork Airport Business Park and Tom Hassey, CEO  Cork Airport Business Park at the signing of a Letter of Intent on Co-Operation between Cork Airport Business Park and Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park at the Cork International Airport Hotel. Picture: Darragh Kane

Disruption to Cork and Dublin airports

Severe winds on Tuesday night have caused distruption to Cork and Dublin Airports, leading to delays and cancelled flights.
Dublin Airport said the delays from the overnight winds, will have a ‘knock-on impact’ on Wednesday’s operations at the Airport, as a number of aircraft were ‘out of position’ as a result.
Intending passengers should check with their airline or airline website regarding the status of their flight.

Cancelled
It is reported that just over 20 flights out of Dublin Airport were cancelled, five from Ryanair.

One passenger, Eamon, told Inside Ireland.ie that he was due to fly from Dublin to Hamburg in Germany at 6.50am and got the 3am bus from Belfast on Wednesday morning.
He said there was chaos at the airport and that it was easier to check online, which he did from his phone.
He found out the flight was cancelled. He re-booked the flight free of charge for the same time on Friday morning, but had to go back to Belfast.
He is not sure about re-imbursement for the €20 bus fare.

Lack of air links damaging for Cork

CORK won't thrive as a business centre without better transport links, particularly by air, the head of major employer EMC has said.
The lack of meaningful transport links to the southern capital are causing huge issues for businesses in the region, and may prevent future investment in the Munster region, Bob Savage told the Irish Independent.

EMC employs close to 3,000 people at a site just outside Cork city.

Mr Savage, who heads up the US multinational's Irish operations, said the lack of air links to Cork is a critical problem for companies based in the south of the country.

In an interview with the Irish Independent, Mr Savage said air access was a "big problem" for his firm and the wider area.

"The big issue is air access. If we have customers coming from anywhere, bar London, Amsterdam and Paris, it is two flights to get here. That means that as a company we have to work even harder and provide such a valuable experience that it is still worth coming here – but it is a huge challenge.

Summer 2013 at Cork Airport

Cork Airport unveiled its exciting summer schedule this week, with more than two million seats available from Cork to more than 50 destinations across the UK and Europe for summer 2013.

Ryanair recently added a further six routes to those already announced before Christmas for its popular summer 2013 schedule including Milan, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Girona, La Rochelle and Pisa.  These are in addition to the five extra scheduled services by Ryanair this summer to Gdansk, Krakow, Vilnius, Warsaw and Wroclaw.

Ryanair’s eleven routes alone will mean an additional 130,000 seats from Cork Airport this summer, compared with the same period last year. The end result is the availability of a total of 717,000 seats with the low cost carrier.












Airport Director Niall MacCarthy, said: “We have worked very closely with our airline and tour operator partners since last summer to ensure we can offer an expansive array of destinations and additional services this summer. The availability of two million seats from Cork Airport this summer is testament to the strong demand from this catchment area on both business and leisure routes during the peak summer season. Airlines and tour operators always try to match supply to demand and this is very evident in today’s announcement," he added.

In a related development, Aer Lingus will operate daily services to Faro and Malaga this summer, as well as increasing the frequency on its service to Barcelona from three to four times a week.

Escaping to sun drenched Turkey will be made easy thanks to Turkish holiday specialist, Wings Abroad, which will offer increased capacity on its Izmir service, commencing on May 12th and continuing until September 29th.

The CorkNews.ie

The Last Call opens at Cork Airport

The next time travelling out of Cork Airport, give yourself plenty of time to relax and savour the delights of ‘The Last Call’ a traditional bar in the departures area offering a wide array of drinks, beverages and delicious food, most of these locally supplied.

General manager of the bar at Cork on behalf of HMSHost, the world’s largest provider of food, beverage and retail services for travellers, is the friendly Orla O’Mahony, who along with airport director Niall MacCarthy cut a cake to mark the occasion.

‘The Last Call’ is a bar that embraces traditional pub elements blended with modern, industrial  features in a luxurious setting.

Speaking at the opening, Paul Neeson, director of retail for Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said: ‘The bar looks fantastic. It gives passengers an opportunity to experience great Irish food and drink in a relaxed, authentic and inviting space. What is particularly pleasing is the focus on local food from some of Cork’s best known artisan suppliers. The Last Call will definitely further enhance the Passenger Experience at Cork Airport’.

Paul paid tribute to general manager Ireland Jackie Gorman, Orla O’Mahony and staff of HMSHost; Lillibeth Horne, head of retail, Cork and Shannon; Bill Twomey and Sinead Coyne of DAA head of food and beverage services and all the team at Cork Airport. He also spoke of the excellent working relationship between DAA and HMSHost, the latter of which employs 70 people at the airport and even more in high season.

Draft report on Cork Airport crash will be sent to interested parties

A draft report into an aircraft crash which claimed the lives of six people at Cork Airport in 2011 is currently being finalised, and will be sent to a number of interested parties for comments when it is completed, the Air Accident Investigation Unit confirmed yesterday.

In its second interim statement on the Manx2.com flight, which crashed at Cork Airport on February 10th 2011, the unit said the draft report would be issued to interested parties, who would then have 60 days to respond or comment on its findings.

The unit will then consider such comments before the final report into the crash, which happened when the Fairchild Metro III crashed as it attempted to land in heavy fog at Cork Airport, is made public.

"The sole purpose of this investigation is the prevention of aviation accidents and incidents; it is not the purpose of the investigation to apportion blame or liability," said the investigation unit in the interim statement, which is designed to update the investigation approaching the second anniversary of the crash.
Iirish Times

Cork Airport upgarde.

Cork Airport is upgrading its baggage security screening system to meet the latest EU standards by a January 2014 deadline, in a €2.4m investment.
The upgrade includes the installation of new security screening units to improve overall imaging and detection quality.
Work is due to begin next month, with full installation and commissioning due to take place in May, before the peak summer season.

“This project is about Cork Airport’s compliance with the highest international security standards for hold baggage,” said airport director Niall MacCarthy.
“The long-term view is important in the airport business and significant planning is required to ensure that the airport’s systems are safe, secure and provide the best possible service to the thousands of passengers who use our terminal every day.”
Passengers and airport staff should expect minimal disruption while work on the upgrade is under way, as most work is to take place at night and in a restricted area airside.
Global specialist baggage systems company Logan Teleflex has secured the contract

Cork City and Cork Airport

Cork City Football Club has announced that Cork Airport will continue its partnership with the club for the 2013 season.

In 2012, Cork Airport were the title sponsor of the Cork Airport Friendly Series of cross channel fixtures in the summer and speaking to CorkCityFC.net, Kevin Cullinane, Marketing Manager at Cork Airport said: “We enjoyed a very successful partnership with the club in 2012 and we are very pleased to be on board with the club once again for the 2013 season.”

The partnership for the 2013 season will see Cork Airport sponsor their cross-channel friendly matches, which will be announced at a later date, while they will also maintain their signage at Turner’s Cross stadium.

The 2012 Cork Airport Friendly Series saw the Leesider’s take on Watford, a Manchester United XI and Blackburn at Turners Cross. With their title sponsor back on board, the club will be hoping to once again attract a number of prestigious opponents for these summer friendly fixtures, which act as an opportunity for the club to raise badly needed funds.

Cork City Chief Executive Tim Murphy welcomed the announcement and spoke of the boost that such news gives the club. “I am very pleased that Cork Airport has chosen to renew their partnership with the club for the coming season. In addition to other recent announcements, I believe that the calibre of partner the club is attracting is evidence of the progress we are making. I would like to thank Kevin Cullinane and his colleagues at Cork Airport for their support and assistance last year and I look forward to building on our relationship in 2013.”

Passengers up at Cork Airport

Passenger numbers through Cork Airport in December were up 5% on 2011 figures, its strongest performance in 2012.
Ryanair’s new Polish routes drove a 20% growth on European services. This was complemented by a 1% growth on UK-Provincial traffic.

Cork Airport’s passenger traffic for the full year stood at 2.34 million, down less than 1% versus 2011.

Cork Airport enjoyed a positive overall performance in the fourth quarter of 2012 as the negative impact of the domestic business lost in October 2011 when Ryanair ended the Dublin-Cork route was eliminated.

Cork Airport’s European traffic performed consistently well over 2012, with ten out of twelve months showing positive growth on traffic to and from the Continent.

Niall MacCarthy, Airport Director commented: ‘December was a very encouraging month of strong growth in passenger numbers at Cork Airport and this has continued into the first week of the New Year. The advent of additional routes to and from Poland and Lithuania in November has contributed significantly to the growth being experienced on our international route network out of Cork.

‘We plan to return to modest overall growth in passenger numbers in 2013 driven by new routes and the Gathering representing the first growth since the start of the recession in 2008,’ he added.

Cork Airport Winter schedule

Cork Airport has announced details of its Winter 2012/2013 schedule, which is on sale now. A massive 46,000 weekly seats are available to 26 destinations across the UK and Europe with Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Jet2.com, Aer Lingus Regional and Wizz Air.
Explore Eastern Europe with scheduled services to Gdansk, Katowice, Poznan, Vilnius, Warsaw and Wroclaw or, new for Winter 2012/2013 from Cork Airport, Krakow. Cork Airport will have 23 weekly departures to Poland and Lithuania for the winter season with Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Soak up some well deserved sun in Lanzarote, Malaga and Tenerife or enjoy the festive delights of the Christmas Markets inAmsterdam, Brussels or Munich.
Airport Director Niall MacCarthy said “With over1,000,000 seats available from Cork Airport for Winter 2012/2013, there has never been a better time to take a break. Fly direct from Cork and book our lower online car parking prices from €4.95 per day on corkairport.com."