Airport hopes fees hikes won’t threaten flights

THE Cork Airport Authority (CAA) moved to dampen speculation last night that proposed hikes in airport fees could threaten flights.

The CAA issued a statement after Ryanair announced a review of its operations if it is hit with a 900% increase in check-in desk fees - from €3,000 to €28,000 - and a €4 increase in passenger fees from €9 to €13.

It is understood the increases are being considered to help CAA service a possible €80 million debt for the new terminal.

But the CAA said negotiations about operations at the terminal, due to open on May 10, were ongoing.

“Speculating on these consultations does not aid the process,” a spokesperson said.

The fees were not set and talks were ongoing, she said.

Ryanair, which operates nine flights a day out of Cork, said it had details of the proposed price hikes in writing from the CAA.

Ryanair’s deputy chief executive Michael Cawley said his airline would decide within three weeks whether or not to cut flights.

He blamed the Government for the debt crisis.

“This situation should never have developed. It is the result of a completely messed up aviation policy. And the Government is dodging the issue,” he said.

“We have proposals to deliver two million passengers to Cork within four years - if the costs are right. But we are reviewing the extent of our operations.

“The issue here is when costs go up, passenger numbers go down. Passengers are price sensitive. They don’t need a Taj Mahal-like terminal.

“They are not going to pay 10 times the amount to use it, and neither are we.”

Aer Lingus said it had not been made aware of any proposed increases.

Any rises would be subject to regulatory approval and Aer Lingus would participate in that process, a spokesperson said.

Despite the uncertainty, the airline is still planning to base a fourth Airbus A320 at Cork from June.

Three new European routes, and extended frequencies on existing routes, are also planned.

Aer Arann, which is planning three new routes this summer - to Jersey, Angers and Lorient - said it was also concerned.

EasyJet said it was concerned at the prospect of any increases.

Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune said the debt issue, and its knock-on effects, was becoming increasingly serious for the region.

“This isn’t about losing passengers anymore, this is about losing routes now,” she said.

Meanwhile, figures released yesterday showed that January passenger figures were up 26.5% - an increase of some 40,000 passengers. Domestic traffic was also up 69% on the same month last year.