Air passengers left out in the cold

THE recent Dáil statement by the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, that the current works at Cork airport do not allow for the provision of air bridges has come as a shock to all of us who have been campaigning for the development of Cork airport.

Anyone passing through the airport will see the large scale of the construction work now at an advanced stage. This investment, which includes a terminal extension and a car park, is much needed and very welcome.

The plans for the development were produced after much consultation and included four air bridges.

These were generally agreed to be a necessity given the windswept location of the airport.

Now we find that the archaic practice of embarking and disembarking in the open air, exposed to the elements and dashing to the terminal, is set to continue. Overall responsibility for Cork airport, including the current development works, rests with the Dublin Airport Authority (formerly Aer Rianta), and this authority has removed the air bridges.

I understand this was done as Aer Lingus and Ryanair stated they would not use these bridges.

It seems incredible that these two airlines can dictate the policy of the Dublin Airport Authority. Where is the consideration for the travelling public who, they hope, will be big spenders in this airport? More importantly, where is the commitment to those in our communities who suffer from physical disabilities or mobility problems?

PWDI (People with Disabilities in Ireland) have expressed a clear desire for these bridges. They no longer want to be treated as cargo and hoisted onto aircraft.

The State Airports Act 2004 provides for the break-up of the three state airports. This will happen when business plans are agreed for Cork and Shannon airports.

It is clearly unfair and contrary to initial understandings that Cork is not to be provided with air bridges. Cork is competing with Shannon for business and it must be allowed to do so with a terminal that includes air bridges, as Shannon has.

The presence of an international airport is a very important element of the infrastructure in the Cork region and contributes to its economic development.

An international airport should provide services for the travelling public such as air bridges.

Their removal is a penny-pinching approach and takes a very narrow and short-sighted view of the future business potential of Cork Airport.

Cllr Deirdre Clune

City Hall

Cork