More negative press coverage in the Irish Examiner re the new terminal at Cork
25 October 2006
Airport bosses face criticism over operations
By Eoin English
MANAGERS at Cork Airport will be asked to defend operations at their new terminal building following a wave of public criticism.
The South West Regional Authority (SWRA) agreed yesterday to invite airport management to the next meeting of its airport’s consultative committee to discuss a range of issues.
The authority, which advises on development issues and strategic planning matters for Cork and Kerry, also plans to invite the chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to attend amid concerns that the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) still does not have enough control over operations at Cork Airport.
SWRA members raised a number of concerns about operations at the airport during their monthly meeting yesterday.
It follows the publication of a number of letters in the Irish Examiner in recent weeks from members of the public unhappy with having to walk in the rain from the new terminal building to aircraft parked some distance away.
Councillor Kevin Murphy (FG) said he knew of a woman who damaged her arm after she was knocked down by a gust of wind while walking across the apron in the rain to a waiting aircraft.
She was drenched by the time she got onto the plane, he said.
However, when she got to her destination in Spain, she was able to use an airbridge to get to the terminal building, he said.
Mr Murphy, whose son uses a wheelchair, also criticised the way disabled passengers were being treated during boarding and disembarkation, especially during wet weather.
Cllr Derry Canty (FG) criticised airlines for not using the only airbridge which has been installed at the terminal.
SWRA director John McAleer said Ryanair has no problem using airbridges at Malaga airport.
Cllr Tom O’Driscoll (FF) said as far as he was aware, the airbridge at Cork has not been used since the new terminal opened.
He singled out Aer Lingus, one of the biggest carriers at the airport, for not using the facility.
Meanwhile, Cllr Jerry Buttimer said residents in Cork’s western suburbs have expressed concerns at an increase in the number of flights over the area.
SWRA chairman Michael Connor again called on the Government to honour its pledge on the airport’s debt issue.