MEP Seán Kelly has called for an immediate termination of the link between Shannon, Cork and Dublin airport authorities.

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.

RYANAIR said Cork Airport is one of the most expensive airports of its kind in Europe and it has no plans for expansion there.

CORK Airport has moved a step closer to securing transatlantic flights at the airport.

THE independence of Cork Airport is unlikely to be realised any time soon despite strong arguments that it is vital for its survival.

THE board at Cork Airport has had a turbulent few years battling against resignations and controversy.

ONE of the services important to an island economy is easy, frequent and value-for-money access to all its markets.

A GROUP of Belgian teenagers stranded at Dublin Airport have had to sleep at the airport after being priced out of rooms at a hostel.

IRELAND’S struggling tourism industry looks set to remain in the doldrums in 2010 as new figures show the number of overseas visitors here in January plummeted by 26%.

A HIGH Court judge has given Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary until tomorrow to explain why the court was not informed last month of a letter to Mr O’Leary from the Minister for Transport stating the minister would set up a panel to hear Ryanair’s appeal against proposed charges at Dublin Airport.

THE Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has written to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) over privacy rights concerns regarding the possible introduction of body scanners.

PASSENGER volume at Cork Airport is likely to be the same at the end of this year as it was in 2005, before the new terminal opened.

SIPTU has accused Transport Minister Noel Dempsey of political cronyism for refusing to consolidate the boards of the country’s three main airports run by the Dublin Airport Authority into one — even though the DAA is looking for €40 million in cost savings.

THE Dublin Airport Authority would have to give Aer Lingus 24 months notice and a brand new hangar before it could leave controversial Hangar 6, the airline’s chairman has claimed.

THE Government, as sole owner, has effective control over the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and significant influence as the major shareholder over Aer Lingus.

RYANAIR has written to the Taoiseach demanding he correct “false claims” he made in the Dáil this week in relation to the dispute over job creation at Dublin Airport.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been accused of being dictated to by state agencies as the bid to bring 300 jobs to Dublin Airport appeared dead.

Ladies of the night, keystone cops and political Pinocchios all featured in the swirl of intrigue as Willie O’Dea battled for his Cabinet life.

JUST as the shabbiness surrounding George Lee’s polarising resignation deepened the distaste surrounding our political system — or our media if you think Mr Lee was wrong — the row between Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary does not augur well for our capacity to rebuild our economy.

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has lambasted Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and the Government for being prepared to let 300 jobs slip through their fingers.