Dublin airport is a far bigger competitor to Shannon and Cork than they are with each other thanks to the M7 and M8.
Even a Cork junior minister chose to drive/hitch a ride from the Gardai to Dublin airport rather than use his local airport recently
Of course but Cork/Shannon are trying to capture the same passengers (a good deal anyway), god for bid when (or if at this stage) the M20 is built it will really squeeze the airports as it plays a massive decision right now for people who live between Cork-Limerick and where they fly from.
Dublin will always be top but exclude bucket/spade and UK routes realistically only one airport outside Dublin will be able to sustain a more brander European network that is profitable. DY US routes out of Cork while small and if they start they will put a dint in one of SNN's big selling points to customers and as the MAX becomes much more common across the pound in the next few years i'm sure Cork will see more and Shannon may as well.
Cork/Shannon are like Belfast Int and City only one will be the big player and the population is broadly similar to both regions.
The current FR discussions with the daa at Cork could be a big factor in where routes/passengers go outside Dublin next year. Will be interesting.
As for the BRU thing, Aer Ryan is right, but we can blame Germany, it's 99% their fault why he had to fly to BRU on that day
