‘Cutting Cork Airport’s status will send negative message’

Seán Kelly, the Cork South MEP, has warned that ending round-the-clock landing services at Cork Airport will threaten the terminal’s international status and lead to a decline in passengers.

As reported in the Irish Examiner earlier this week, the Irish Aviation Authority — which provides air traffic control services across the country — is considering the introduction of “limited restrictions” to controller services at Cork Airport due, in particular, to low night-time traffic levels. If restrictions were put in place, planes could no longer land in Cork 24 hours a day.

Mr Kelly said the move would severely restrict the airport’s ability to develop new revenue streams from night-time charter flights and freight traffic.