Cork's parking problems.
Well High Meadow, I've discovered that the CAA and their owners the DAA are well aware of the parking issues at Cork Airport. In fact as far back as 2006 they drew up plans to address the probem by designing a brand new General Aviation Park. The only trouble is that we're now in Mid 2011 and the plans still haven't left the drawing board.
To be fair the problem isn't as critical nowadays given that Cork has lost almost one third of its's traffic since the beginning of 2009 and its still falling!
About 7 years ago the Airport came up with an imaginative plan to deal with the issue i.e. refuse Corporate Jet's and adhoc charters permission to overnight in Cork and suggest to them that they park in Shannon or Kerry.
They agreed not to charge them landing fees a 2nd time if they decided to return to collect their passengers. No mention of the additional cost of making 3 landings and takeoffs instead of 1.
One could understand the thinking behind this policy if the apron was literally full but on many occasions there appears to be adequate parking stands available. Surely turning away business should be a last resort. Red tape and beauracracy seem to be winning out over common sense.
On a more positive note there appears to be a good chance that Cork will shortly get one if its lost Central European Routes restored by a low cost carrier.
Last edited by ryan2000; 28th May 2011 at 16:11.