Both Dublin and Cork Airports are owned and managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) which operates under a clear commercial mandate. The promotion and development of routes at Cork Airport, including transatlantic routes, is a matter for the DAA and the airport management at Cork and is not one in which I have a direct role. That said, I do appreciate the importance of improved air access for the staff of US multinationals operating in the region and I would welcome the introduction of a transatlantic service to and from Cork.
Under the Open Skies agreements, there are no regulatory obstacles for airlines who wish to operate transatlantic services from Cork. I understand that Cork airport are actively seeking an airline to operate a service to the east coast of the US. I hope that airlines will consider the opportunities that such a route could provide, as well as other routes to the UK and mainland Europe. I understand that the airport authority is also engaging with airlines about the potential re-introduction of a Cork/Dublin service as a feeder for transatlantic services at Dublin Airport.
A Cork Airport Development Council has also been established to work with airport management to develop initiatives that support sustainable traffic in 2014 and beyond. In addition Cork Airport Authority has very extensive route support schemes for new long and short haul routes as well as generous marketing support available to help in the formative years of launching any new routes. Tourism Ireland also engages in co-operative marketing activity with both airports and air carriers to stimulate demand for existing routes and to case-make for the introduction of routes of strategic importance for Ireland.
