SAS plans to cut 1,000 administrative jobs and double its cost-savings target as the Nordic airline prepares for rising fuel prices and intensifying competition.

Ryanair is battling lower fares in the first months of its financial year, weighed down by French air-traffic controller strikes and by travellers’ concerns about a future terrorist incident following last month’s bombings in Brussels.

The first transatlantic flights from Cork are poised to take off later this year after a breakthrough ruling by the US Department of Transportation (DoT).

EARLIER this year Taoiseach Enda Kenney promised that if his intervention were needed to secure transatlantic flights for Cork Airport then he would not be found wanting. 

The Norwegian airline planning to launch the first transatlantic flights from Cork has rejected claims its Irish subsidiary will hire staff on lower pay and conditions.

Passenger numbers at Dublin airport have recovered to levels not seen since before the global financial crisis. 

Many airlines worldwide have begun to adopt rules similar to those put in place by the Irish Aviation Authority a decade ago to ensure there are always two crew members on the flight decks of passenger jets while airborne.

Budget airline Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has signed deals worth 127 billion kronor (€16.5bn) to purchase 222 planes from Boeing and Airbus.