Airlines battle to win customers on lucrative Cork-Dublin route

RYANAIR last night fired the first salvo in a bitter war of words with rival Aer Arann to win custom on the lucrative Dublin-to-Cork route.

Passenger numbers between the two cities this year are expected to smash the 2006 record of 400,000, confirming the route as a vital money-spinner for both carriers.

Cork Airport figures show Ryanair carried 260,000 passengers to Aer Arann’s 140,000 in 2006 with overall numbers up 70% on the year before.