Originally Posted by
Jamie2k9
CCR
What will Independence do?
* Get a deal with FR like SNN for a year who are now scaling back and actually growing at daa controlled Cork
* Extend the runway when the two largest operators will be 100% against it and then force them to pay for it?
* Attract a spate of T/A carriers who will dilute operators at SNN/DUB?
The same airport under daa has grown 10% in Q1 and similar expected throughout 2016. I'm sure the daa would love to let it go nothing will change just like at SNN not a single new operator attracted outside FR and low scale return of EIR. Cork under daa has secured 3-4.
To compare SNN with Cork is ridiculous.
SNN has a limited population, drawing pax largely from the midwest and a little further afield towards Galway.
Cork alone has a population of 520,000 and draws pax from Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and further afield.
Cork must have transatlantic ops to aid the development of the entire region. The largest foreign investment by far is from the US, especially in the IT and Pharma industries.
The current 7,000ft runway discourages airlines to begin such services. Obvious exception being Norwegian as it will use the 737MAX. It has been said many times before but most business travel ex Cork cross the Atlantic via Heathrow.
I don`t believe the DAA have any motivation to lengthen any runway in Cork and only an independent Cork Authority would have the ambition to achieve that.