Airport bosses defend new terminal

BOSSES at Cork Airport defended their controversial new €160 million terminal building yesterday following criticism from airport operators that the old building had better facilities and is more user-friendly.

The Airport Operators Committee (AOC), which represents airlines and airport staff, wrote to Cork airport’s manager Pat Keohane to raise serious concerns about the new building - one of the largest infrastructural projects in the country.

The letter was sent last November following a tour of the under-construction building by AOC members including officials from Aer Lingus, Aer Arann, ServisAir, as well as board members from Dublin and Cork airports. Details only emerged yesterday.

The AOC warned that facilities in the building would not be user-friendly and could pose serious operational issues.

The AOC was unavailable for comment yesterday but their complaints included:

* Facilities and space for key airport operations such as check-in and lost baggage are “totally inadequate” in the new building.

* Space for queuing at check-in desks in the old terminal is better than in the new terminal.

* Space for ticket and check-in staff is inadequate.

* Self-service kiosks are located in the wrong area.

* Only three passenger screening or X-ray arches are planned - totally inadequate for current numbers.

* The provision of just one airbridge is inadequate.

However, a Cork Airport spokesperson said the concerns have been addressed.

Negotiations with users of the terminal have been ongoing since 2001.

The AOC letter was just another part of that consultation, she said.

She agreed that the check-in space in the new terminal is less than in the old building. But a snake pattern will be introduced in the new terminal and less space is needed, she said.

Airport management are looking at improving the space for ticket and check-in staff, she added.

An extensive cabling system will give great flexibility in where the self-service kiosks are located, she said.

The provision of X-ray arches, which comes under the remit of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the Department of Transport, is adequate, she said.

While one airbridge will be available to airlines when the terminal opens, there is a potential for four.

Cork Airport Authority (CAA) and the DAA are in a bitter dispute over the €160m construction costs.

Cork’s Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune has accused the Government of reneging on pledges the airport would begin operations debt-free. She is seeking a meeting with the board of CAA in an attempt to bring the debt issue to a head.