Airport redevelopment cleared for take-off

AFTER months of speculation, the €140 million redevelopment of Cork Airport was cleared for take-off yesterday when contracts were signed by Aer Rianta and the builders, Rocon.

Whether the airport will still be run by Aer Rianta when the project is completed in November 2005, or by an independent body, will be known at the end of next month, when Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan is expected to publish future plans for the company.

Work will start next week and, during peak construction periods, nearly 600 people will be employed on the development.