Direct air route from Cork would support the Gathering and US multinationals – Murphy

Fine Gael Cork North Central Deputy, Dara Murphy, has called for the establishment of a direct air route between Cork and the east coast of the United States, saying the current lack thereof is impeding Irish-based US firms in Cork.

Deputy Murphy also made the point that a Cork-US, east coast route could facilitate the Irish diaspora in New York, Boston and beyond to visit Ireland during this, the year of the Gathering.

“Tourism figures published this week by the CSO reported a strong start to the year of the Gathering, with a rise of 7.4% in the number of visitors coming to Ireland in the first three months of the year. By establishing a direct route to the east coast of America, we could build on this success while also facilitating Cork-based US firms to expand and grow.

“Cork Airport is now largely independent of the Dublin Airport Authority and the focus must be on how best to develop it for the benefit of the people of Cork. Representations have been made to me from a number of US companies who are based in Cork, as well as from the Cork Chamber of Commerce, about how the lack of a direct route to the east coast of America is hindering development.

“Cork is home to some of the biggest US multinationals, including Apple which continues to expand operations here, making the establishment of an east coast connection extremely worthwhile. The possibility of Aer Lingus, Continental or Jet Blue developing this route needs to be explored so that a connection can be made from Cork to Newark, New York or Boston.

“In addition, the capacity to bring thousands of Irish-Americans home would be greatly enhanced if people could fly from the east coast of the US to see family and friends in Cork and the surrounding region. If the Gathering is to be the success we hope it will, every effort must be made to facilitate people hoping to come to Ireland. The American tourist market, and the Irish diaspora in the US, will play a critical role in getting the biggest ever tourism initiative the country has ever seen off the ground.

“I am calling on the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, to explore the possible options and to initiate negotiations in the hope of establishing this new connection in the near future.”
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