Hi Kavs8,
Well thank you! If only, maybe some day!
I would very much agree with you regarding any expansion at Cork and any likely timeframe. Cork, in it's current guise works well for Aer Lingus and is a profitable base. Again, any increase in services or launch of new routes will have to see a significant pickup in the domestic and international economic environment.
With regard to profitability, Q1 is traditionally weak also for many carriers, including Aer Lingus so I think that Q2, 2011 is where we will see the true results of both cost consolidation and a slight improvement in the overall environment, but of course there will be profitable periods for the remainder of this year.
The next item on the agenda in the medium term will
potentially be a revision of the Long Haul Airbus order placed in the Mannion era.
I think we would need to see growth in Real GNP of at least approximately 7-10% before any such expansion from Cork would be on the agenda.
Regards,
EI Premier