THE Government was accused last night of frustrating the break-up of Aer Rianta by not supporting a State-appointed board trying to run one of the country’s main airports.

THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) should not be allowed “saddle Cork Airport with debt because they see it as a threat”, the Government’s deputy chief whip said yesterday.

THE Shannon Airport Authority is missing out on a huge opportunity to tap into innovative proposals which would help make the airport more commercially viable, a union leader said yesterday.

DUBLIN Airport may have three independent terminals operating within the next five years if a Progressive Democrat compromise to resolve the most serious Cabinet row since the National Stadium at Abbotstown is accepted.

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen said he favoured a majority sell-off of Aer Lingus which would put an end to speculation about the future of the airline.

DUBLIN Airport could be paralysed by a security staff strike over the October Bank Holiday weekend after workers yesterday raised the possibility of a total withdrawal of labour.

AN emergency meeting between Transport Minister Martin Cullen and the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) on the subject of the airport's €80 million debt was described last night as having been very positive.

CORK Airport is facing potentially crippling debts of €160 million when it opens for business as a separate company, it emerged last night.

AER LINGUS and Ryanair are opposing plans by the Dublin Airport Authority to increase the cost of renting facilities such as check-in desks.

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary has warned the Government that the airline will not expand services from Dublin if SIPTU is given a stake in a proposed new terminal at the airport.

Ian Guider

THE Government faces a week of sustained pressure over its apparent u-turn on the controversial Cork Airport debt issue.

Michael O’Farrell, Political Reporter

THE CORK Airport Authority (CAA) is seeking a new chief executive with current head Joe O'Connor planning to step down next year.

THE company brokering talks on the €160 million debt impasse between Cork and Dublin airports has been asked to withdraw from negotiations because of a conflict of interest.

THE letter from June Scannell regarding lack of facilities at Cork airport (Irish Examiner, January 6) is a timely reminder that action is needed if the airport is not to remain at the bottom of the list of political priorities.

Michael O’Leary is focused on Ryanair growth and tackling the Government, writes Ian Guider.

RYANAIR has launched an attack on the aviation regulator for approving a 23% increase in landing charges.

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary yesterday claimed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern would be cross-examined in the High Court over the Government’s decision to award the construction of the second terminal at Dublin airport to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

THE planned expansion of Dublin Airport must be urgently completed as it is a vital link in the future growth of the tourism industry, it was warned yesterday.