Aer Rianta prepares to break up company

20 million people passed through the country’s three biggest airports last year. Dublin, Cork and Shannon all recorded growth in passenger traffic, with business at Cork airport showing the biggest boost with a 17% increase in customers.

This might be the last time Aer Rianta releases its end of year results with plans to break up the company at an advanced stage.

Unions at the semi-state company are fighting Government plans to create independent management boards for the three Government-owned airports.

Dublin saw a 5% rise to just under 16 million passengers, with the most growth coming from North American and European markets.

36 new services started last year and another 20 routes are set to come on stream in the next six months.

Shannon has rebounded after a period of decline – its business rose 2%, bringing it back to pre-2001 levels.

And Cork is the big winner – it processed 2.2million passengers and is looking forward to 13 new services later this year.