With almost half a million people in Cork city and county being served by Cork Airport, MEP Sean Kelly has called on the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to reconsider downgrading the airport to daytime only air traffic control services. Within half an hour of Fermoy and just over that from Mitchelstown, Cork Airport is very convenient for people travelling for work or leisure from the general Avondhu area.

The MEP is calling on the IAA not to hinder the airport’s capability to expand by ending the round the clock landing services, adding that this is utterly necessary, if the southern gateway to Ireland is to be expanded upon.

LONG TERM VIEW NECESSARY

“Cork Airport’s ability to develop new revenue streams, through night time charter flights and freight traffic, will be severely restricted, if the IAA abolishes 24-hour air traffic control services at the airport. The international status of the airport will also be damaged by limited opening hours, and may ultimately lead to a downward spiral in passenger numbers.

“Any proposed limitation of services at Cork Airport sends a negative message to the multinational sector in Cork and across Munster, which includes Apple and EMC, especially at a time when Cork Chamber of Commerce members are calling for a Cork/East-coast USA transatlantic air-bridge. I therefore call on the IAA to take a long term strategic view, to support air traffic growth at Cork Airport, similar to the recent re-introduction of a US/West-coast service by Aer Lingus,” the MEP said.

The airport saw passenger numbers at 2.3 million in 2012, and the MEP pointed out that a recent survey by Cork Chamber found that more than half of all indirect travel by businesses from Cork Airport is to the United States, with 57% of people going to New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles.

“Cork is a major European base for many US pharmaceutical and fast growth technology companies, such as McAfee, Amazon, Trendmicro, Pfizer,  as well as Pepsi in Carrigaline, all of whom require regular, convenient air connectivity services to the US and Europe for their senior staff, so Cork Airport has a bright future, if supported by IAA,” Sean Kelly added.