Waiting to take flight

PASSENGER numbers are plunging, Europe’s biggest airline say it’s too expensive to operate there and local businessmen are complaining that the place is empty.

At Cork Airport, a picture is being painted of an operation that has no desire to compete for business with other European locations. Ryanair says the charges at the airport are too high and analysts say management have no real say in how the airport is run. It is located in Ireland’s second largest city, but has yet to attract any long-haul carriers.

Most say the problem is the airport’s lack of independence.