The head of Ireland’s main airport operator has backed plans by Norwegian Air International to operate a transatlantic service between Cork and the US, saying the demand exists despite recent route cancellations at the airport.

Pre-tax profits at Shannon-based duty free operator, Aer Rianta International almost halved last year to €18.9m.

A new director of Cork Airport has been identified to succeed Pat Keohane when his term ends later this year, it emerged last night.

TRANSPORT Minister Leo Varadkar was last night accused of making the boards of Cork and Shannon airports redundant.

The chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority received a bonus of €51,000 last year, even though the DAA recorded losses of €13m.