Plans to split airports from DAA on hold

PLANS for the separation of Cork and Shannon airports from the Dublin Airport Authority are unlikely to go ahead due to the poor financial position of both airports.

Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar indicated yesterday that they are set to remain under DAA control in the medium term.

However, Mr Varadkar said he would still like to see Cork and Shannon allowed to operate independently and in competition with Dublin for business as the separation of the airports remained official Government policy.

But he conceded that the financial position of Cork and Shannon, combined with falling passenger numbers at both airports, made separation unlikely.

The boards of Cork and Shannon airports are expected to present revised business plans over the coming months on how they might operate as independent airports.

“It’s very hard to see that happening seeing that both airports are losing money,” said Mr Varadkar.

The minister is due to decide before the end of the year if he will press ahead with the plan proposed by his predecessor, Noel Dempsey.