Yes, that would indeed be a fine sight - an EI A320 at Zurich from Cork.

It worked more than twenty years ago - that is the irony!

Cork is getting another ATR from Late 2010, as part of the EI Regional deal, i almost certain that their'l be an EI Regional SNN base and routes to BHX & MAN are definite for the airport, also guys reading the EI statment for 2009 they say thay have ''2 surplus aircraft'' from LGW obsiously but i think's its very likely we will see another annoucment from EI in May or June about Cork. Anyone think Wizz will launch PRG or BUD? thought these where high load factor routes?

Sad to see 4 Airbus A320 at Cork now the A321 back to Dublin!, but at least its more then SNN anyway!:O

There's only 3 new ATR-72/500 orderd, 1 extra for ORK, 1 for SNN and prob 1 extra for DUB, but do remember why EI are reluctnt to grow from SNN its Ryanair they have said any airline which launches new SNN - BHX or MAN routes they will follow even with the pullout its somthing that SAA will have to sort out!

May or June when the Winter 2010/2011 flying programme is announced. But ive been hearing that SNN-JFK is likely to be scraped and BOS routed twice weekly threw DUB so its slightly good for SNN. Their acctually going selling of their A321 - they are 12 years old!

some evidence -> Aer Lingus may offer more Shannon routes - The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 29, 2010

The major problem for an extra A320 is what to do with it in the Winter.

I have no doubt that it could be filled in the summer between putting on extra flights to sun destinations, adding sun destinations and possibly adding a few routes for inbound tourists (probably in Germany).

But in the Winter? Maybe a few extra services to Paris. Maybe Zurich to grab some skiers and some interliners. But that's not going to keep an A320 busy. In fact, if Manchester and Birmingham were transferred to Regional, then the spare capacity could be got from there.

that's what i hate EI have suspended SXF even though load factors where in excess of 74%, its returing for the Winter but instead of just grounding those surplus A320'S use them for extra routes where demand requieres it e.g. like charter daily Faro May-September, Daily Geneva December-March etc...

Cork is their best performing base (no doubt because of no involvement in Transatlantic services), Dublin-Short haul is breaking even and Long-Haul from Dublin is bottoming out (losses). Shannon-LHR is performing well but, Transatlantic services are to be cut by 75% (SNN only) for the Winter of 2010. BFS is to just have LHR from next October, Gatwick is to remain with 3/ac and a fourth because Aer Lingus is trying to get its only licence for LGW.

From October we can say that; 2 A320 will be grounded and 1 A330 grounded in SNN. But i cant wait to see what new Long-Haul routes EI announce in June with the United Partnership!

Time to despatch the EC-135R again, folks?

How do you know Berlin will be back in the winter?

A i go nearly every year, im studying German so i rang them when i notice'd it on their website they said they fly daily SXF (DUB) and are hopefull it will return in October 2010 as they failed to secure slots.

Just to say i think its highly unlikely that EI will introduce a ACE-SNN route there is no way they will sacrifice their 3 daily LHR routes, and i think with their pacted summer schedule (increased services from DUB) that they will not run a via SNN service either, maybe from October 2010 but i cant see it happining. Aer Lingus dont seem to like Shannon for some reason i think also if Cork's runway was say 7,500ft they would have transatlantic service their!

That sounds like "standard answer 22", rather than the truth.
SXF has loads of free slots as far as I know.
And when Berlin Tegel closes in 2 years time, all that traffic needs to go to SXF.

If Aer Lingus really wanted to continue ORK - SXF tis summer they could have.

I too hope they'll bring it back. I know a number of Corkonians living in Berlin.

..just a few points on the (somewhat energetic but very welcome) recent postings on this thread,

1.ACE... not quite a great airport, often unavailable for landing after dark due to inadequate airport facilities, which leads to a high diversion rate, during periods of strong southerly winds.
Airports such as these will not attract spare capacity, as it is only available at late hours, hence SNN - ACE, to my mind, is a non-runner.

2.I've posted this before, but A330 - 200 to JFK is possible under almost all atmospheric conditions, so, no need to even think that it's not possible without a runway extension!
The A 332 is very capable, long distance cruise of Mach .82, yet has such low approach speeds, that it is in the same approach category as the B737 and A320.

3.Improving road networks in this republic will see a realignment of air services, making routes like ORK DUB marginal.
Consider this, a limousine bus style service from say merchants quay Cork to D'Olier st Dublin should be scheduled at 2 hours 40 mins.
Give the punters the right service, and at fifty euro return, you'll kill the direct flights.
Rember you heard it here first!!

4.Good to hear that Berlin will be back for winter 10-11
Took the better half there last Oct, great for a city break!!

"not just a lurker!!":ok:

Also, the introduction by EI of a twice daily Cork-LGW route means that the number of seats per day that Aer Lingus have for sale on Cork to London is almost identical to last year's when they had an all A321 service to LHR.

Anyone think Cork would be granted US Pre Cleareance? I heard a while back that Continental where in talks with the CAA about 07/08 i think about a daily EWR-ORK service any update?

Cork and Transatlantic Services
 

I reckon the chances of Cork getting transatlantic services in the forseeable future are slim and to be honest - NONE! I'm sorry it just does not make economic sense. Firstly, you have Shannon in close proximity and now Dublin is'nt even that far away anymore with regular air and train services and a spanking new motorway. Secondly, Who will fly to an airport where weight restrictions will apply. Thirdly, Shannon and Dublin have the US Immigration and Customs Pre-Clearance which is a huge bonus for them. As for the chances that an airline will fly eg. Cork to JFK and stop off en route at Shannon so passengers can pre- clear immigration etc there is unreal.
Cork is a small local airport, it needs to concentrate on what it does best, Services to airports in the UK and continental Europe. We all know there are gaps which need to be filled eg. Frankfurt, Brussels, Madrid etc etc
I like Cork and visit regularly, love the new terminal. So I ain't a 'Cork Basher', just a realist.

Cue the usual excuses - quick off the mark and getting in the retaliations first against Cork Airport. A new development - this needs to be watched. Trust no one. Peculiar posts on this thread today.

The pilots may or may not be lurking but the forces from the Dark Side sure are?

With Shannon struggling to hold on to the few transatlantic routes they have left, I'd say the chances of Cork getting a transatlantic route would be between slim and none.