Airport to set aside booze-free zone for rugby fans

CORK Airport has set aside a dedicated booze-free zone especially for Munster rugby fans flying out to Cardiff next Saturday.

Airport managers said the measure was one of a number of steps being taken to avoid a scrum of Heineken Cup final passengers on what is expected to be one of the airport’s busiest days.

Up to 3,000 rugby fans are expected to descend on the airport from early morning next Saturday.

All special rugby charters will operate from the north terminals, next to the cargo depots. Passengers should enter the existing terminal building and follow the directions of airport staff, a spokeswoman said.

And while the airport bar will be open, the consumption of alcohol in the north terminal will be prohibited, she said.

“There will be a temporary shop provided for essentials like tea, coffee, minerals and newspapers,” she said.

“However, no catering facilities will be available at the north terminal.”

Fans will be allowed to carry Munster flags on board aircraft but fog horn canisters over 500ml will be confiscated.

“Any item which has the ability to be adapted for causing injury to another passenger will also be confiscated,” the spokeswoman said.

Fans were also asked to limit the number of carry-on items to one small backpack. They were urged to arrive for the flights in time, to allow up to 90 minutes for check-in and to bring a valid passport.

Airport bosses said they expected vehicular traffic to be extremely busy next Saturday and they appealed to passengers to be dropped to the airport, if possible.

Scheduled services and holiday charter services on Saturday will operate as normal. However, passengers were advised to allow additional time for car parking, check-in procedures, and security checks.

Meanwhile, Cardiff Airport management said they expect an extra 24 passenger airliners and 17 business jets to shuttle between Cardiff and Ireland and France next Saturday. This means the airport terminal will handle 8,000 extra passengers as well as its normal throughput of business and leisure travellers on the day.

Special coach routes have been agreed with Cardiff Council and South Wales Police to separate the airport’s Heineken Cup visitors from normal weekend traffic, they said.

“Our airport team has worked closely with the tournament organisers and the Millennium Stadium in preparing for the event,” a spokesman said.

“Procedures we have developed through this and our experience in managing other events have been communicated to the tour operators and carriers involved.”