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.

THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) last night defended its handling of the process designed to break the impasse on the controversial €160 million Cork Airport debt issue.

BOARD members at Cork Airport have been snubbed by the body appointed to investigate the airport’s multi-million euro debt controversy.

A PROPOSAL on partial privatisation of Aer Lingus, a second terminal at Dublin Airport and the end of the Shannon stopover will be brought to Cabinet by Transport Minister Martin Cullen today.

BOSSES at Cork Airport defended their controversial new €160 million terminal building yesterday following criticism from airport operators that the old building had better facilities and is more user-friendly.

CORK’S Lord Mayor demanded a clear statement from the Transport Minister last night on the potentially crippling debt issue facing the city’s airport.

THE Progressive Democrats will not pull the plug on the coalition Government over the split on the second terminal at Dublin Airport, Tánaiste Mary Harney insisted yesterday.