2005 target for €130m airport plan

AER Rianta expects that work on a €130 million facelift of Cork Airport will take two years to complete.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said the company’s aim would be to have the terminal, a main feature of the project, ready for Cork’s year as European city of culture in 2005.

Mr Brennan was responding in a written Dáil reply to Cork East Fine Gael TD David Stanton, who sought a progress report on the development.

Mr Brennan said it is recognised by Aer Rianta that Cork Airport needs significant investment.

This was a result of the growth in traffic through the airport in recent years.

He said the company is well advanced with its plans for a new capital investment programme.

The main feature is a 25,000 sq metre terminal building. Planning permission was secured last year and Aer Rianta is finalising its evaluation of tenders.