Cork Airport. Avoid!

[cessnapete]

Landed yesterday at Cork in a light turboprop, to pick up one person and refuel, landed from a departure point near Dublin.
We were told to park at a deserted part of the main apron as jet fuel not available at GAT. On shutting down Police attended the aircraft and we were told to stay in the cabin until handlers arrived to cordon off the aircraft with cones!!!
After half an hour no cones, and we needed the toilet. We were not allowed into the terminal as no ID, passports deemed unsuitable. ( all UK or Irish passports)
Eventually we were escorted one at a time to the toilet in the fire station nearby, by said police who stood guard outside the toilet door.
Refueller arrived after one hour but he too cannot approach the aircraft until coned off, after another 20 mins cones arrived and we were cordoned off.
A further delay then occurred while refueller checked if he was authorised to accept a private credit card.
Our passenger was not allowed out of the terminal until refuelling had finished. Handler then took another 20 mins to get the person to the aircraft.
Eventually departed after nearly two hour delay. A comedy routine not to be missed!
Cork obviously not GA friendly.

[Beethoven]

Any reason given?....

[cessnapete]

Handler said normal Cork procedures dictated by ICAO regulations???

[maxred]

Some new potential commercial routes just announced. Lets go into Heathrow mode....actually sounds a lot like Inverness a few years back

Anyway, you survived, in certain parts of Greece, or UAE, they put you in the pokey for a few years

[Whiskey Hotel]

It's gone a bit ridiculous there recently alright, it's almost as bad at the general aviation park, all visitors must have handling arranged with the FBO. I wasn't aware that jet a1 went available at the general aviation park, I frequently see king airs and other light turboprops there so I presume they had access to fuel there. Had you called ahead to the FBO (South Aer) to arrange any facilities?

[cessnapete]

Yes E Mailed them day before, and asked ATC to pass eta 30 mins out.
Handler appeared 30 mins after landing, useless.

[wsmempson]

Cessnapete, we had exactly the same experience in 2011, dropping a friend off in Cork in my Saratoga; we were treated like a bunch of criminals carrying toxic waste, and charged royally for the privilage of having hours of our time wasted by 'elf-n-safety minions in high viz waistcoats. FWIW, we knew what the charges were going to be (we had had considerable email correspondence to make sure that our arrival was expected), but found the experience a surprise. My chum, sitting P2 with whom I shared the flight (who is Irish) found the experience very odd and not typical of flying in Eire, and actually felt embarrassed.

I would also say "AVOID" as it's quite clear that GA is considered a bloody nuisance, and is to be discouraged.

[Above The Clouds]

It sounds as though getting fuel was the major cause of the problem, so arrive there without needing to uplift fuel may solve one issue. The cones bull*hit I hazard a guess you arrived as a commercial flight therefore they have to cordon off the aircraft under the excuse of security !!! if this is the case arrive and depart as a private flight.

[cessnapete]

We were a private flight, Cessna P210! (Allison conversion hence the Jetfuel)
We required refuel due headwinds and some icing on the UK -Dublin area Airways flight the previous sector.
Just picking up a friend on way home via Cork.
Anyway all good fun, ill know better next time, we just were astounded at the mindless bureaucracy!!

[Whiskey Hotel]

The FBO South Aer have been known to be slow and inefficient. And I'm not surprised they turned up late, I've heard that one before. I think the cork area is crying out for a GA friendly airfield with suitable facilities, because as has been said, cork airport seems to be moving towards pushing GA out of it airport, which is unfortunate given that the airport in general is a ghost town commercially.

[7AC]

Cork Airport is owned by the Dublin Airport Authority and that should be the clue. Heads up rear ends and not an idea about how to treat GA.
Try Waterford if you can, a very different experience.

[irish seaplane]

Hi Pete - I've passed along your concerns to the FBO.... Hope it can be sorted for next time. No real GA alternate for Cork.

[Gostomel7]

Cones

At EICK FBO ground crew not allowed to approact a/c until cones in place & "observer" in place so stand is demarkated. Not FBO rules (drived them made) but IAA/ICAO/Airport Authority Piston light aircraft can go stright to aeroclub ramp with all the carfuffle