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Ryanair in talks on new Cork flights
01/06/2005 - 15:06:43
Ryanair has opened talks with the Cork Airport Authority to see if a deal can be struck to open up cheap flights to destinations on mainland Europe.
Michael Cawley, the deputy chief executive of the budget airline, told the Evening Echo a new route had been opened up to Liverpool out of Cork and there was a lot more passenger capacity on the London route.
“We are in discussions with the airport. The new management is very good and they are obviously busy getting the new terminal organised.”
Mr Cawley, originally from the South Douglas Road in the city, said he hoped that when the new terminal is up and running, management at Cork Airport will come up with a landing charge package to entice Ryanair to open scheduled services to France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Scandinavian countries.
Mr Cawley said any decision to open a hub at Cork would all depend on costs.
“If there was a suitable cost structure in place, we would be very keen to do it,” he said.
If a discount deal could be done on landing charges, Mr Cawley predicted Ryanair would fly as many routes from Cork as it does from Shannon — to between 12 and 14 destinations.
“I would be very hopeful it will come about.”
The average price of a one-way ticket with Ryanair is now down to €40.
Mr Cawley denied reports it was considering going head to head with Aer Arann on the busy Cork-Dublin commuter air service.
“We will not be doing it at the moment. I’d never say never — but not in the next couple of years,” added Mr Cawley.