Delaying separation is a threat to survival

THE independence of Cork Airport is unlikely to be realised any time soon despite strong arguments that it is vital for its survival.

This has been a major political and local issue since the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) took over the running of Cork and Shannon airports from Aer Rianta in 2004. It had always been the plan however, under The State Airports Act 2004 that the airports would be become independent entities.

The Government made a commitment in 2003 that Cork Airport Authority (CAA) would start independent operations debt-free. Then came the €220m debts associated with the new terminal.