New routes for Cork airport

BOSSES at Cork Airport remained tightlipped last night as speculation mounted that the airport's first transatlantic service will be announced this morning.

Cork Airport marketing manager John Smyth said yesterday that a "major announcement" is imminent.

While he refused to reveal the details, he confirmed the news would be good for the airport and the region.

It is expected a number of new European routes will also be announced.

Aer Lingus is also considering launching new routes out of Cork with some tipping a service to Faro in Portugal.

There is also speculation that a low-cost carrier will announce it is expanding out of the airport.

But rumours were rife last night that a transatlantic service will also be announced.

Attempts by US tour company, Hammond Tours, to operate a Cork to New York and Boston service fell through earlier this year because of poor bookings.

But Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh told Cork Chamber of Commerce earlier this year that he was under pressure from his US executives to open a direct transatlantic route from Cork to the US.

Aer Lingus has launched 32 new routes since November 2001 and has plans for 10 more by 2005.

Having plied Dublin with new routes, it is expected that many of its new services will be designed to build up similar markets to European destinations from Cork and Shannon, further fuelling the speculation of a major announcement today.

Aer Lingus was severely criticised last year for ending its Cork to Dublin route. It is also being criticised for its plans to stop its cargo service at the airport from next January.

But last night, chamber president Robin O'Sullivan said he would be delighted if new Aer Lingus routes, and a new transatlantic route in particular, were announced today.

"I would like to pay tribute to management at Cork airport who have always been committed to developing new routes," he said.

Fianna Fáil city councillor Tom O'Driscoll, a member of the South-West Regional Authority, said he was expecting a significant announcement given the level of secrecy.