At least full landing fees are due to Cork Airport from all Dublin flights. However, as Caracassone is just seasonal rather than year round does the route qualify for any kind of incentive for Ryanair or will they be paying the full whack in fees?
Did everyone get up late today or what as it seems the latest big news about Cork Airport has so far been missed? Late last night it was announced that the former head of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr Peter Cassells has been appointed by the Irish Minister for Transport to mediate between the Cork Airport Authority and the Dublin Airport Authority over the continuing row about the Euro 200 million debt on Cork Airport's new terminal.
This is a most interesting development from a political point of view as Mr Cassells is certainly a big hitter in the negotiation business. He was recently involved as a mediator in the very bitter Corrib gas field dispute in County Mayo. Shell want to bring the gas ashore for onward processing and some in the local community want the process done at a facility out at sea. Lots of angry protests from folk opposing Shell, Gardai baton charging protesters, people in jail etc. Very nasty looking stuff to watch on TV in the last year or so.
How well Mr Cassells deals with Cork Vs Dublin is hard to say. Cork want a free terminal as promised by the Government as a prelude to independence from the all powerful Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the bullies in Dublin want Cork to pay up to help pay for some of Dublin Airport's new terminal and new runway!
The Transport Minister is suggesting that if through the good offices of Mr Cassells that the Cork Airport Authority and Dublin Airport Authority fail to agree a settlement between the two that the seperation of the all powerful DAA and it's airports may have to be called off.
I bet that would suit a lot of the precious, all chiefs and no indians ex Aer Rianta types up at Cork. One thing is for sure - as long as the DAA have a hold over Cork Airport the chances of Cork ever having a North Atlantic flight lie somewere between slim and none.
Dublin Airport has approximately 12 flights bound to the USA everyday - yet Cork Airport cannot compete for even 0.5 of that amount. Then again, one can hardly be too surprised - afterall, if revenue earning training aircraft from Waterford to Cork with some of the next generation Ryanair and Aer Lingus captains aboard are only reluctantly and quite grudingly welcomed to Cork Airport, why would anyone expect Cork to be serious about going after new business at all when all they have to do is cosy up to Ryanair angling for a few more crumbs from Mr O'Leary's and Mr Cawley's serviettes?
What fees are liable on a training aircraft visiting from Waterford to Cork Airport and what fees are liable on 189 sets jets arrving at Cork from Prestwick and East Midlands over the course of the current year?
Anyone got a contact number for Mr Cassells? A whole post and I have not mentioned Shannon even once today. What a feat!