Batten down the hatches — another storm is bearing down on Ireland.

Cork Airport has stepped in to help farmers still struggling with the fodder crisis.

SIPTU has said that next Monday's planned two-hour work stoppage at Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports will go ahead, unless Aer Lingus removes certain pre-conditions aimed at resolving the pensions dispute.

Glamour model Katie Price is set to take over the news-stands with the launch of a self-titled magazine.

RYANAIR said it would resume operating flights from Cork and Kerry to Dublin if airport costs were cut and the subsidised routes were scrapped.

Shannon Airport has been closed until 4pm today, after an Aer Arann plane got into difficulty while landing on the runway this morning.

IRISH airports and retailers south of the border could be the losers in the British budget today, with exporters left smiling.

ALL flights in and out of this country have been grounded since 7am as northerly winds have driven clouds of Icelandic volcano ash back into Irish airspace.

RYANAIR is not planning on cutting any flights from Cork Airport but said it could grow at Kerry and Knock because of low charges at those airports.

Michael O'Leary today forecast that the UK was heading for a recession and that this would be “great for the aviation industry”.

THE European Commission (EC) could deliver its long-awaited ruling on Ryanair’s proposed takeover of Aer Lingus later this month and earlier than originally planned.

AER Lingus has announced six new destinations as well as increased frequency on existing routes which together will see an additional 86 flights per week offering a total of 15,000 extra seats.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen refused to be drawn yesterday on the controversial Cork Airport debt issue just days before its new terminal is due to open.

Security has been stepped up at Shannon and Dublin airports, and the Army and Gardaí have been put on heightened alert in the wake of last week's London bomb attacks.

THE main challenge facing the new Cork Airport designate-board appointed by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday will be to deliver a business plan showing how the major €153 million development can be funded.

BEFORE we sell off Aer Lingus to the highest bidder (or even the first bidder) does anyone mind if I ask a few questions? And let me declare a few interests first.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) today announced a €6m profit in 2003, reflecting a growth in international traffic levels and the economic recovery in the aviation industry.

Esat BT has announced a deal with Aer Rianta to provide free wireless broadband for commuters at Cork Airport during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union.

RYANAIR believes it will have to pay out millions of euro as its worst fears have been confirmed in its "state aid" battle with the EU Commission, which could also impinge on the future growth of Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports.