Aer Lingus set to launch Cork-US route

AER LINGUS is poised to launch a trans-Atlantic service to the USA from Cork when the current open skies negotiations with the US are concluded, Cork Chamber of Commerce president Robin O'Sullivan said last night.

Mr O'Sullivan said Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh has assured the chamber that Cork Airport is capable, in runway terms, of handling direct transatlantic services.

"And Aer Lingus North America is very confident that the demand for such services exists. We know it exists on this side of the Atlantic. Of course action on this depends ultimately on the various open skies discussions and negotiations," Mr O'Sullivan said in his president's address.

Mr O'Sullivan disclosed that in discussions between the chamber and the Aer Lingus boss, Mr Walsh said that he was under pressure from his US executives to open a direct trans-Atlantic route from Cork to the USA.

Mr Walsh has said, in an interview with the Irish Examiner, that Aer Lingus is capable of ramping up its US services to cater for two million passengers a year and has pointed out that Dublin Airport does not have the capacity to cater for an increase of this magnitude.

In his address to the 850 people at the annual dinner Mr O'Sullivan spoke of the sudden closure of the Cork-based airline Jetmagic.

"There are many Chamber members who hope for a Swansea-Cork Ferries type rescue rallying behind the fledgling airline even at this late stage.

"Our chief executive Michael Geary is available to play a co-ordinating role if this effort manifests itself into some form of action," he said.

Mr O'Sullivan also slated the Government's financial commitment to the Cork European City of Culture programme in 2005.

"The current allocation of funds from Government is at a derisory level, with all due respect to those present who, I know, have sought to, and are seeking to, improve on that. If this designation had been won within the Pale, we would be seeing money, energy and commitment being thrown at it by the Government.

"We would see semi-states being instructed to make all available resources and support available, the private sector at national level jostling to be up front. Well, that's what we want, and that's what we expect for Cork 2005.

"This is not a time for local sponsorships alone, important as they are, but for national funding and national-level sponsorships, for transferring major events to Cork to mark the year and the designation," he said.

Mr O'Sullivan said while he knows there is frustration at what is seen as a lack of information on the year of culture he called on members to give it their unstinting support.

"I also know that there is going to be a great programme a new event every three days, television spectaculars, sporting highlights personally, I love the concept of Cork versus the Rest of the World in everything sport, art, architecture, music, film, theatre, dance, community involvement, outdoor events, indoor events, the return to Cork of so many of our internationally- successful artists and artistes for special events and collaborations," he said.