GOVERNMENT plans to establish three independent airports were plunged into a fresh crisis last night after Cork Airport’s board was told it cannot achieve independence unless it accepts a €100 million debt.

IN response to Michael Cawley of Ryanair (Letters, February 23), I would like to clarify what I meant by “planning issues” in my letter (February 16).

THE current Ryanair website includes a blistering attack from the airline on the aviation regulator with regard to possible increases in charges at Dublin airport.

IRISH air passengers were landed with a triple blow yesterday after a raft of airport and fuel charges were announced.

BUSINESS plans to establish Cork and Shannon as independent airports have finally been sent to the Government for approval, it was confirmed yesterday.

THE Dublin Airport Authority was strongly criticised yesterday for its failure to inform colleagues in Shannon about the planned closure by Aer Lingus of its Shannon-Heathrow route.

DUBLIN AIRPORT is to get busier after An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the main passenger terminal to be expanded.

ONE of the country’s largest HIV/Aids support groups is seriously concerned after a massive jump in the numbers of people contracting the disease.

THE costs of modernising Cork airport include an expense overrun of between €100 million and €140m.

THE board of Cork Airport last night defended its decision not to appear before a Dáil committee yesterday.

DUBLIN Airport Authority (DAA) has warned it could miss its target of having a new terminal built by the summer of 2009 if it does not get final planning permission by the end of the month.

THE aviation regulator has dealt the Dublin Airport Authority a severe blow in its efforts to recover the €1.2 billion airport expansion cost, by ruling out a demand for a rise in passenger charges.

THE Dublin Airport Authority is scrapping a scheme that allowed new airlines using the facility to have a discount on passenger charges.

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

RYANAIR is set to open one new base in Britain — housing up to three aircraft — by the end of October.

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.