Collins welcomes boost for Cork Airport with Aer Lingus expansion

Fine Gael Cork North West TD, Aine Collins, has today (Thursday) warmly welcomed the announcement that Aer Lingus Regional is to expand its services at Cork Airport, including extra routes and 50,000 extra seats for summer 2014.

“This is very positive news for Cork and the wider region, and I am very pleased that Aer Lingus is setting an ambitious target to boost passenger numbers to 300,000 by the end of next year. As well as introducing a new route between Cork and Newcastle, the airline will also increase flights on a number of existing UK routes.

“This positive announcement is a direct result of the Government’s decision to scrap the air travel tax in the Budget. The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, took the decision because he believed it would boost tourism figures and create jobs. Clearly, he was right, as this is the latest in a series of announcements relating to flight expansions in our major airports.

“Aer Lingus is also investing €35 million in two brand new aircrafts, which will be based in Cork from April to cater for the expanded routes. The airline has attributed the increased demand for flights to and from the UK to an increase in business activity, which is a further sign of recovery in our economy.

“The increased flights will provide a significant boost to the regional economy, both in terms of business activity between Ireland and the UK, and, of course, in terms of extra visitors coming to the area. After a number of years of decline, British tourists are coming back to Ireland in their droves this year.

“It has been a very strong year for tourism in Cork, thanks in no small part to the huge success of the Gathering. I am confident that these extra Aer Lingus routes – which also include increased capacity to Rennes in Northern France – will bring thousands of extra visitors into the county in the year ahead.

“I view this announcement as a very strong commitment by Aer Lingus to Cork Airport, and it further underlines Cork’s position as the country’s second largest airport, acting as a crucial gateway to the south of the country.”