Call for St Patrick’s Day offensive to secure US flights

Cork’s business leaders have called for a diplomatic offensive on the White House and Washington around the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in a bid to secure transatlantic flights from Cork.

Cork Business Association (CBA) and Cork Chamber were united yesterday in their calls for increased and sustained government efforts to persaude the US authorities to rubber-stamp Norwegian Airline’s Irish subsidiary’s application a foreign carrier permit.

The airline’s plans to launch a Cork to Boston service in May have been deferred because of the unprecedented two-year delay in the licensing process. Its Cork to Barcelona route is also deferred.

The airline, which plans to operate a Cork to New York service next year, says despite the delays, it remains committed to introducing the services.

CBA president Pat O’Connell said he plans to contact the Taoiseach’s office to stress the flights’ importance to the city and the region.

“The deferral is disappointing but we remain optimistic,” he said. “It is the US authorities who are dragging their heels.

“I think it’s time for some heavy-hitting phone calls.”

Just days after Cork was named as one of the top regional cities in Europe for attracting foreign direct investment, Mr O’Connell said Cork-based companies like Apple, EMC, and Tyco need connectivity to the US.

Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said Norwegian’s deferral was not unexpected, given the licensing delays.

“It highlights the need for renewed efforts across all Irish diplomatic levels, to secure this service,” he said.

“The government needs to take the opportunity provided by the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington and the White House to outline their real concerns.”

This week, the European Commission invoked an arbitration process to break the licence impasse. It could take up to four months.