CORK airport’s growth has been stunted for so long we must show thanks when Michael Cawley of Ryanair comes out in its support in relation to the negotiations on the financial crisis arising from the new terminal building (letters, February 17).

THE bill for the new Cork Airport development could eventually reach €200 million - at least €40m more than the figure being quoted at the moment.

THE Coalition parties seem set to agree a deal on the controversial second terminal at Dublin Airport on Wednesday.

RYANAIR has begun a High Court challenge to have the Government’s decision, to have ownership of the proposed second terminal for Dublin Airport transferred to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), declared illegal.

AFTER months of clashing over competing ideologies Fianna Fáil last night emerged victorious having forged its stamp on government aviation policy for the remainder of the current Government.

THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has warned the proposed separation of Cork and Shannon could be jeopardised unless it is allowed to increase airport charges.

THE GOVERNMENT has finally given the go-ahead for a second terminal at Dublin airport and plans to allow independent companies bid to build a third terminal within the next 10 years.

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