Competition to run Kerry/Dublin air link intense

THERE is intense competition to operate Government-funded flights between Kerry and Dublin it emerged last night with several operators submitting tenders to run twice daily services.

The deadline for the receipt of tenders was July 4 and the Irish Examiner has confirmed that “several” operators have submitted public service obligation tenders and that a decision is expected in November.

Passenger numbers grew by 3% at Kerry Airport in 2010 to 424,599. However, the real impact of the withdrawal of two of three daily return Dublin flights, after Ryanair suspended its government subsidised regional flights in November, will only be seen in this year’s end-of-year results, airport chairman Denis Cregan warned.