Airport faces €160m bill when it flies solo

CORK Airport is facing potentially crippling debts of €160 million when it opens for business as a separate company, it emerged last night.

Local TDs accused the Government of breaking its promise that Cork would be debt-free once granted full autonomy after it emerged the airport would have to shoulder the construction costs of its new terminal.

“Seamus Brennan had said the airport would begin debt-free, which it needs to be in order to give it a fighting chance against Shannon and Dublin,” said Labour TD Kathleen Lynch. “Now, it’s going to have a millstone around its neck instead.”