Lack of new routes at Cork airport

podmu80 · 18-11-2013 7:45pm

How many passengers was the new terminal designed to handle, and how many has it handled this year?
Those in positions if power really need to be doing more to get full independence from the DAA, until that's achieved,very little will change bar perhaps a few new routes from Ryanair.

KCAccidental · 18-11-2013 9:45pm

Lambofdave wrote: »

Ok but it didn't need to cost 180million

That I agree with, the airport is rather overspecced. I guess those were the good old days when cheap credit was sloshing around and Aer Rianta (as it was, now DAA) decided to splash out a bit.

the beer revolu · 19-11-2013 11:45am

the beer revolu wrote: »

Bus. 3 hours from Cork to Dublin Airport.
Some late hour busses.
Cheap as chips.
Comfortable.
Toilet.
WIFI.

No reason to drive anymore.

Milly33 wrote: »

The bus is great alright but if lets say you cant do the bus it is quite expensive to Pwurple said to pay for tolls, parking and all that goes.. I think Cork should just have its own airline called the bouy or something..

scudo2 wrote: »

Can you imagine the IDA saying that to company executives that their trying to attract and get them to set up factorys in the second largest city in our country.

We have a great infrastructure, roads, skilled (unemployed but willing to work) work force, award winning colleges and students of all ages, second biggest natural harbour in the world. (second to Sidney ) good electricty supply, + a lot more.

Oh and a cheap bus for a few hours to Dublin.

A shur lads,at least we have the Blarney stone to attract them!

Reposted :::: as I think it should. This county is lacking if those who matter cannot see the importance of direct flights.
For F sake its like broad band and dial up.
Or am I wrong ?

Feel free to reply as I know where U live!!

pwurple wrote: »

Buses are fine for loads of people. But probably not the directors of EMC, Apple, J&J, pfizer, abbott, dairygold or musgrave.

It doesn't go from your front door, so you've to haul your luggage around somewhere to find it. It's slower than a car. And you could end up sitting next to Mr Smelly McSmell, or Mrs Chatty McChat. That's the reason they go business class and first class in the first place.

Eh people, where exactly did I claim that the bus service is an adequate substitution for more flights from Cork? Where did I suggest that there are sufficient flight to/from Cork?

Can you enlighten me folks?

My post, quoted above, was in direct response to a post claiming that to drive to Dublin airport was expensive and a pain.
My only point was that it is cheaper and more convenient to get the bus to Dublin airport than to drive or get the train. How that got turned around to me suggesting that there are plenty of flights from Cork and Mr. US Director should get the bus to Dublin airport and stop complaining.

Folks, just because I don't massage your egos buy implicitly agreeing with you does not mean that I disagree with you.

Now calm down!

pwurple · 19-11-2013 12:38pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

Eh people, where exactly did I claim that the bus service is an adequate substitution for more flights from Cork? Where did I suggest that there are sufficient flight to/from Cork?

Can you enlighten me folks?

My post, quoted above, was in direct response to a post claiming that to drive to Dublin airport was expensive and a pain.
My only point was that it is cheaper and more convenient to get the bus to Dublin airport than to drive or get the train. How that got turned around to me suggesting that there are plenty of flights from Cork and Mr. US Director should get the bus to Dublin airport and stop complaining.

Folks, just because I don't massage your egos buy implicitly agreeing with you does not mean that I disagree with you.

Now calm down!

You might be reading a bit much in there... I already said that buses are fine for plenty of people, you've even quoted it.

They are indeed cheaper, but I don't agree that they are more convenient. It's a price - convenience trade-off... for the reasons I listed above.

If the additional time doesn't cost you much then it's a great solution. (ie, you are a student, have loads of free time to wait for buses in the rain, and some way to arrange to get your luggage to patricks quay) If time is what you are short of, then the bus isn't so good. It's more painful than driving from door to door, even if it is cheaper. And driving is more painful than flying... etc.

There are loads of alternatives for getting between airports...
bus,
drive,
cycle,
hitchhike,
get the boat to the UK.

All on an inversely proportional scale of price vs inconvenience.

the beer revolu · 19-11-2013 1:40pm

pwurple wrote: »

You might be reading a bit much in there... I already said that buses are fine for plenty of people, you've even quoted it. They are indeed cheaper, but I don't agree that they are more convenient. It's a price - convenience trade-off... for the reasons I listed above.

If the additional time doesn't cost you much then it's a great solution. (ie, you are a student, have loads of free time to wait for buses in the rain, and some way to arrange to get your luggage to patricks quay) If time is what you are short of, then the bus isn't so good. It's more painful than driving from door to door, even if it is cheaper. And driving is more painful than flying... etc.

There are loads of alternatives for getting between airports...
bus,
drive,
cycle,
hitchhike,
get the boat to the UK.

All on an inversely proportional scale of price vs inconvenience.

Have you taken a bus from Cork to Dublin airport in the last 2 or 3 years?

pwurple · 20-11-2013 12:29pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

Have you taken a bus from Cork to Dublin airport in the last 2 or 3 years?

Not until it starts going from my front door.

No, thank goodness, I have been able to avoid Dublin airport since 2009.

I usually go from Cork, or drive to Kerry, Waterford or Shannon. Any longhauls I get usually connect better through Heathrow, Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Dublin Airport doesn't have much lure for me.

draiochtanois · 20-11-2013 12:41pm

This post has been deleted.

lostinsuperfunk · 20-11-2013 6:21pm

You can't drive yourself right to the door of Dublin Airport, but the bus will drop you there. You save time at that end. Dublin Airport has improved a lot in the past few years with the new terminal, and lower passenger numbers easing the capacity crush. I used to avoid it like the plague but with the direct bus connection it's a useful option.

If you're travelling to a continental destination not served out of Cork, it takes a similar amount of time, and is usually cheaper and less hassle to get the bus to Dublin and fly directly from there than it is to fly from Cork via Heathrow or Amsterdam.

This is a real issue for Cork Airport, as any new route now has to compete against Dublin to a certain extent.

podmu80 · 20-11-2013 7:07pm

This is a real issue for Cork Airport, as any new route now has to compete against Dublin to a certain extent.[/quote]

But isn't it the case that the DAA has the final say on routes from cork? They certainly have the say in any possible transatlantic routes. Makes it hard to compete against a competitor who makes your decisions for you!!

lotusm · 21-11-2013 1:41am

Can't understand how Cork airport does not have transatlantic flights from a business perspective. Its obviously because to protect Shannon airport. Cork airport is losing out big time on this. It needs to break away from the DAA. It has been reported that knock are hoping to have transatlantic flights to Boston and new York by 2015 which will be a massive boost for tourism and businesses. Surely if it can be done there, Cork can do the same

Missyelliot2 · 21-11-2013 1:48am

lotusm wrote: »

Can't understand how Cork airport does not have transatlantic flights from a business perspective. Its obviously because to protect Shannon airport. Cork airport is losing out big time on this. It needs to break away from the DAA. It has been reported that knock are hoping to have transatlantic flights to Boston and new York by 2015 which will be a massive boost for tourism and businesses. Surely if it can be done there, Cork can do the same

But for people that live anywhere near limerick or Clare, Shannon is so much more convenient -the roads from limerick to cork are atrocious ...and dangerous. There's no point travelling to cork then.

Rhys Essien · 21-11-2013 2:00am

lotusm wrote: »

Can't understand how Cork airport does not have transatlantic flights from a business perspective. Its obviously because to protect Shannon airport. Cork airport is losing out big time on this. It needs to break away from the DAA. It has been reported that knock are hoping to have transatlantic flights to Boston and new York by 2015 which will be a massive boost for tourism and businesses. Surely if it can be done there, Cork can do the same

Its sad to say but Knock already had transatlantic flights for 6 months during 2007.That just tells you how much Cork airport are purposely been 'kept down'.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/No-New-Carrier-for-Knock-Airport-1130.html

nerwen · 21-11-2013 3:11am

I'd give a leg for a direct flight to Oslo from Cork so I don't have to do this 4 flight/3 airports/occasional trains nonsense every time I go home. But somehow I doubt that's overly likely.

lotusm · 21-11-2013 4:31pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Its sad to say but Knock already had transatlantic flights for 6 months during 2007.That just tells you how much Cork airport are purposely been 'kept down'.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/No-New-Carrier-for-Knock-Airport-1130.html

That airline Flyglobespan was a disaster when they operated in 2007, they went bust soon afterwards.
Knock Management have indicated it will be a reputable airline. Hopefully an American airline.

podmu80 · 21-11-2013 6:00pm

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

But for people that live anywhere near limerick or Clare, Shannon is so much more convenient -the roads from limerick to cork are atrocious ...and dangerous. There's no point travelling to cork then.

Plenty of cork people travel to Shannon on that god forsaken road. The base and demand exist for transatlantic from cork imo. I would love to know the full facts ad to why the DAA hasn't been fully broken up. Is Shannon heavily reliant on its American routes?

the beer revolu · 21-11-2013 7:08pm

podmu80 wrote: »

Plenty of cork people travel to Shannon on that god forsaken road. The base and demand exist for transatlantic from cork imo. I would love to know the full facts ad to why the DAA hasn't been fully broken up. Is Shannon heavily reliant on its American routes?

Shannon is on it's knees. Only a handful of flights a day.

Missyelliot2 · 21-11-2013 7:34pm

podmu80 wrote: »

Plenty of cork people travel to Shannon on that god forsaken road. The base and demand exist for transatlantic from cork imo. I would love to know the full facts ad to why the DAA hasn't been fully broken up. Is Shannon heavily reliant on its American routes?

I really don't know, but there's 4 flights leaving tomorrow to NY and Boston.
At least, when you land in Shannon, you can travel quite safely to Limerick and onto Galway.
If flights come to Cork, the roads to Limerick will HAVE to be improved :mad:

mean gene · 21-11-2013 8:17pm

Theres hardly any flights up there during the winter might aswell close it down unless you want to go to London or poland

podmu80 · 22-11-2013 10:45am

From reading the last few posts its clear how important those transatlantic routes are to Shannon, will means they will remain but a pipe dream for us down here. I didn't know knock had them before, both amazed and impressed. 700,000 passengers is a fantastic number.
Its a long shot, but does anyone have anykknowledge of the board at cork airport?

Pitcairn · 22-11-2013 12:00pm

Cork Airport doesn't have its own board.

The Dublin Airport Authority operates Dublin and Cork Airports and has a board of directors. Here is the 2012 annual report which lists the board members.
http://www.daa.ie/daa_ar_2012/

Undoubtedly if Cork Airport was a separate entity or at least allowed to go about securing its own routes we would have a transatlantic flight by now, perhaps on a trial basis.

podmu80 · 22-11-2013 12:17pm

Pitcairn wrote: »

Cork Airport doesn't have its own board.

The Dublin Airport Authority operates Dublin and Cork Airports and has a board of directors. Here is the 2012 annual report which lists the board members.
http://www.daa.ie/daa_ar_2012/

Undoubtedly if Cork Airport was a separate entity or at least allowed to go about securing its own routes we would have a transatlantic flight by now, perhaps on a trial basis.

Thanks for that. I know its under the control of the DAA, just wanted info on the people involved. Is such a practice, one airport basically under the control of another, that commonplace in the aviation industry, are there other examples? Even if cork airport can never be fully independent,surely things can be done to improve the current situation. A route to New York for example would it really have such an effect on numbers through Dublin,or is it purely to protect Shannon?

Pitcairn · 22-11-2013 12:20pm

THe strange thing is that Shannon is no longer part of the DAA and is semi-independent. So you would think it should free up the DAA to try and bring a transatlantic route to Cork.
I heard the DAA are telling Cork they may try and bring back the Cork to Dublin flight so passengers can connect to transatlantic flights in Dublin. That sounds useless to me. Even if there was a Cork to Dublin flight I'd still either drive to Shannon or else fly to London where there are more options.

Palo Alto · 22-11-2013 1:57pm

Cork-Belfast route back would be nice, I've not gone home since August as it's so expensive driving there and back even if the roads are great!

podmu80 · 22-11-2013 2:15pm

Pitcairn wrote: »

THe strange thing is that Shannon is no longer part of the DAA and is semi-independent. So you would think it should free up the DAA to try and bring a transatlantic route to Cork.
I heard the DAA are telling Cork they may try and bring back the Cork to Dublin flight so passengers can connect to transatlantic flights in Dublin. That sounds useless to me. Even if there was a Cork to Dublin flight I'd still either drive to Shannon or else fly to London where there are more options.

What does semi independent mean? The road to Shannon is terrible from cork, Dublin airport is much easier to get to.Hasn't cork been left to service the debt of the new terminal, I guess its semi independent too, just not in a good way! Would the airport be even running at 60% of its capacity I wonder?
A return of the Dublin route would be welcome but as you say, in terms of transatlantic its not enough when you are looking at it from a business,inward investment viewpoint.

Rhys Essien · 22-11-2013 5:38pm

podmu80 wrote: »

Plenty of cork people travel to Shannon on that god forsaken road. The base and demand exist for transatlantic from cork imo. I would love to know the full facts ad to why the DAA hasn't been fully broken up. Is Shannon heavily reliant on its American routes?

podmu80 wrote: »

Thanks for that. I know its under the control of the DAA, just wanted info on the people involved. Is such a practice, one airport basically under the control of another, that commonplace in the aviation industry, are there other examples? Even if cork airport can never be fully independent,surely things can be done to improve the current situation. A route to New York for example would it really have such an effect on numbers through Dublin,or is it purely to protect Shannon?

podmu80 wrote: »

What does semi independent mean? The road to Shannon is terrible from cork, Dublin airport is much easier to get to.Hasn't cork been left to service the debt of the new terminal, I guess its semi independent too, just not in a good way! Would the airport be even running at 60% of its capacity I wonder?
A return of the Dublin route would be welcome but as you say, in terms of transatlantic its not enough when you are looking at it from a business,inward investment viewpoint.

Have you trouble spelling Cork with a capital 'C'.???

I see you have no trouble with Dublin,Shannon and New York.

Pitcairn · 22-11-2013 5:40pm

Shannon Airport has been moved out from under the control of the Dublin Airport Authority and now has its own board who were appointed by the Minister for Transport. They no longer have to ask the DAA to go out and secure new routes or modify their charges to attract new business.

Yea the cost of the Cork terminal is a big issue and probably what's keeping Cork within the DAA. It's a valuable asset and would damage the DAA's balance sheet if we were separated.

podmu80 · 22-11-2013 6:20pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Have you trouble spelling Cork with a capital 'C'.???

I see you have no trouble with Dublin,Shannon and New York.

Sweet Jesus. Accept my most humble apology. Cork. Cork. Cork.

Red Nissan · 23-11-2013 9:18pm

podmu80 wrote: »

Sweet Jesus. Accept my most humble apology. Cork. Cork. Cork.

Ye, we're touchy about that sort of thing, like.

beer enigma · 24-11-2013 3:51pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Have you trouble spelling Cork with a capital 'C'.???

I see you have no trouble with Dublin,Shannon and New York.

Cork also happens to be a wood product and for that reason predictive text doesn't always capitalise it. ...... back on topic please as flaming upsets my Sunday dinner & those of you who know me will confirm I hand out more red cards on a Sunday if my dinner gets cold because of moderation......

wallycharlo · 26-11-2013 3:13pm

Ryanair made a play some time back to take over the old terminal at Cork, and make it into a Ryanair hub. The powers that be were having none of it. I'm quite sure that this would have brought in many new routes.

Palo Alto · 26-11-2013 4:28pm

At least longterm, Cork should be in a good situation once the economy improves. Having used Cork airport only relatively recently, I have to say it is at least really, really nice!

I think part of that is due to security being so laid back; up in Belfast, where I'm from, they are a proverbial pain in the **** more often that not.

lisasimpson · 26-11-2013 7:42pm

wallycharlo wrote: »

Ryanair made a play some time back to take over the old terminal at Cork, and make it into a Ryanair hub. The powers that be were having none of it. I'm quite sure that this would have brought in many new routes.

heard that ages ago. is there anything in the old building up there

podmu80 · 26-11-2013 8:48pm

lisasimpson wrote: »

heard that ages ago. is there anything in the old building up there

At the minute its used for admin offices I think. I heard somewhere it may be knocked for parking but don't know if that's true.
O'Leary did want it but that was never going to be allowed!

kub · 26-11-2013 10:57pm

Just re the old terminal, in the long term the plan is to double the existing terminal down towards the old one. Therefore I imagine due to the way the new one is set back further to allow for the way the aircraft now park, then the old building will be demolished.

I believe though that the old ATC tower is a protected structure.

ROY RACE · 27-11-2013 10:50am

I often landed above and got my passport out only to find 2 empty desks to receive the passport I love it

Stepping Stone · 27-11-2013 12:37pm

kub wrote: »

Just re the old terminal, in the long term the plan is to double the existing terminal down towards the old one. Therefore I imagine due to the way the new one is set back further to allow for the way the aircraft now park, then the old building will be demolished.

I believe though that the old ATC tower is a protected structure.

I heard (although I don't know how true it is) that they decided to apply for permission to knock it and put the groundwork in for funding for a new building and they were told that if they knocked a perfectly good building they could completely forget about building a replacement.

To be fair, there is nothing wrong with the structure of the old building. It was in a way a lot more functional than the new one. I know that it isn't pretty, but as a frequent flyer, all I care about is security (no difference) and the runway, etc (no difference). At least you could extend it without making it look silly.

Red Nissan · 27-11-2013 12:41pm

Stepping Stone wrote: »

I heard (although I don't know how true it is) that they decided to apply for permission to knock it

Ye, the stories fly around alright. I was told that the old terminal was being renovated and that I'd not recognise it upon completion.

What actually happened over the years was the seemingly less planned new terminal and car park and the old terminal actually just abandoned, except for the odd art installation.

Stepping Stone · 27-11-2013 12:45pm

Red Nissan wrote: »

Ye, the stories fly around alright. I was told that the old terminal was being renovated and that I'd not recognise it upon completion.

What actually happened over the years was the seemingly less planned new terminal and car park and the old terminal actually just abandoned, except for the odd art installation.

If anything, they could try restoring it to what it was originally. I have fond memories of the fish pond and watching planes from upstairs. The new terminal is a lot less easy to kill time in if you are waiting for a flight to come in, plus it is like an oven in the summer and a fridge in the winter.

wallycharlo · 27-11-2013 2:50pm

I liked the bar myself in the old terminal, has a cosy feel to it.

SeaFields · 28-11-2013 3:11pm

A lot of the arguments around Cork getting transatlantic seem to focus on it being a route for us to get over the the states but the other side of it is we are an hour from Killarney, which has a massive influx of tourists from the states. Surely marketing Cork as such an easy gateway to Kerry would also bolster its numbers on an transatlantic route.

wallycharlo · 28-11-2013 3:14pm

Is the Runway / Instruments etc at Cork Airport capable of handling transatlantic aircraft?

I remember a 747 landing there yonks ago to celebrate some opening or another, but I'm pretty sure it was empty and not fully loaded with passengers ...

ssbob · 28-11-2013 5:12pm

SeaFields wrote: »

A lot of the arguments around Cork getting transatlantic seem to focus on it being a route for us to get over the the states but the other side of it is we are an hour from Killarney, which has a massive influx of tourists from the states. Surely marketing Cork as such an easy gateway to Kerry would also bolster its numbers on an transatlantic route.

IMO transatlantic flights to and from Cork should centre around this argument ie. 1,000,000 passenger flights into Cork per annum versus approx a catchement area of 500,000 of which only generate approx 50,000 passenger flights from Cork.

I think the who of the Cork/Kerry tourist board should get on board this idea as it would boost tourism in this area. Even getting figures for tourism is difficult as Kerry is sometimes seen as part of the Shannon region.....:rolleyes:

Also I would expect Ryanair to announce new routes from Cork in Jan/Feb

blindsider · 28-11-2013 5:39pm

wallycharlo wrote: »

Is the Runway / Instruments etc at Cork Airport capable of handling transatlantic aircraft?

I remember a 747 landing there yonks ago to celebrate some opening or another, but I'm pretty sure it was empty and not fully loaded with passengers ...

In May 2006, a 747 took off from the airport going to B'ham - it was full of Munster fans going to the HEC Final in Cardiff - the operator told us the flight was to Bristol, and then changed it late on.

It was def a 747 - I was upstairs - the guy behind me asked the Pilot/co-pilot if it was safe to land etc at Cork airport - the pilot said there was no issue.

I will say, that as it was a day trip, there would have been little luggage on board.

I suspect the larger, loaded aircraft would have problems with the (longest) runway length of 2100m http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_Airport

but I'm sure there are alternatives.

I would love to see a few new routes to get the place going again - I know transatlantic routes are the holy grail - I'd be happy with a few European routes too.

KCAccidental · 28-11-2013 5:41pm

wallycharlo wrote: »

Is the Runway / Instruments etc at Cork Airport capable of handling transatlantic aircraft?

I remember a 747 landing there yonks ago to celebrate some opening or another, but I'm pretty sure it was empty and not fully loaded with passengers ...

Boeing 757 is capable of transatlantic operations. This is what would be used if cork got a route to the US

Demonical · 28-11-2013 9:40pm

I flew out of Cork with Aer Lingus/Aer Arann last weekend to Birmingham...ended up in Luton due to fog in B'ham and we were bussed back to B'ham, arrived over 4 hours late. :rolleyes: Grand I said, bit annoying, but not too much, I wont let it ruin the holiday, these things happen.
2 days later we were meant to fly back to Cork from B'ham but there was "technical issues" and the flight was cancelled. Options we were given were 1) fly to Dublin and be bussed down to cork or 2) be transferred to a flight to Cork the next day. We chose the flight the next day to Cork, I didnt fancy a 3+ hour bus journey that evening. Next morning we got to the airport to once again be told that the flight to Cork was cancelled, again citing "technical issues". Chose the flight to Dublin this time and bus down to Cork. If that is the sort of service that comes with travelling from Cork airport (Aer lingus regional) I can safely say I wont be flying from there again. Id rather fly from Dublin.

They might need to sort this aspect of flying from Cork before they try to bite off a bit more. Fog apparently is a major factor with alot of cancelled regional flights but we were never told what the technical issues actually were. This kind of thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth and will put people off the airport as a whole..it certainly has done it to me.

KCAccidental · 28-11-2013 9:59pm

Demonical wrote: »

I flew out of Cork with Aer Lingus/Aer Arann last weekend to Birmingham...ended up in Luton due to fog in B'ham and we were bussed back to B'ham, arrived over 4 hours late. :rolleyes: Grand I said, bit annoying, but not too much, I wont let it ruin the holiday, these things happen.
2 days later we were meant to fly back to Cork from B'ham but there was "technical issues" and the flight was cancelled. Options we were given were 1) fly to Dublin and be bussed down to cork or 2) be transferred to a flight to Cork the next day. We chose the flight the next day to Cork, I didnt fancy a 3+ hour bus journey that evening. Next morning we got to the airport to once again be told that the flight to Cork was cancelled, again citing "technical issues". Chose the flight to Dublin this time and bus down to Cork. If that is the sort of service that comes with travelling from Cork airport (Aer lingus regional) I can safely say I wont be flying from there again. Id rather fly from Dublin.

They might need to sort this aspect of flying from Cork before they try to bite off a bit more. Fog apparently is a major factor with alot of cancelled regional flights but we were never told what the technical issues actually were. This kind of thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth and will put people off the airport as a whole..it certainly has done it to me.

what has technical issues with the plane got to do with the airport?

Aer Lingus regional flights from Dublin can (and do) have technical issues as well, in fact on some routes they use the exact planes you fly on from Cork. of all the things you could blame on Cork Airport, technical faults with planes is not one of them.

also blaming Cork airport for Birmingham based Aer Lingus Regional employees not telling you what the technical fault was is a bit of a leap to be fair.

kub · 28-11-2013 11:33pm

Demonical wrote: »

I flew out of Cork with Aer Lingus/Aer Arann last weekend to Birmingham...ended up in Luton due to fog in B'ham

There was fog in Birmingham, what has that to do with Cork Airport?

and we were bussed back to B'ham, arrived over 4 hours late. :rolleyes: Grand I said, bit annoying, but not too much, I wont let it ruin the holiday, these things happen.
2 days later we were meant to fly back to Cork from B'ham but there was "technical issues" and the flight was cancelled.

As mentioned above by a fellow poster, what has a technical problem with an aircraft got to do with Cork Airport?

Options we were given were 1) fly to Dublin and be bussed down to cork or 2) be transferred to a flight to Cork the next day. We chose the flight the next day to Cork, I didnt fancy a 3+ hour bus journey that evening. Next morning we got to the airport to once again be told that the flight to Cork was cancelled, again citing "technical issues". Chose the flight to Dublin this time and bus down to Cork. If that is the sort of service that comes with travelling from Cork airport (Aer lingus regional) I can safely say I wont be flying from there again. Id rather fly from Dublin.

Again i am at a loss as to how a technical problem has anything to do with Cork Airport. Believe or not technical problems also prevent planes from flying into Dublin as well or any airport for that matter. Thing is in order to get to an airport a plane needs to be able to fly there.

They might need to sort this aspect of flying from Cork before they try to bite off a bit more. Fog apparently is a major factor with alot of cancelled regional flights but we were never told what the technical issues actually were. This kind of thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth and will put people off the airport as a whole..it certainly has done it to me.

You were never told what the technical problem was therefore you are assuming its fog. I am sure Aircoach will be delighted with your custom, I pray there is no weather which may affect your coach trip to Dublin airport.

Demonical · 28-11-2013 11:37pm

KCAccidental wrote: »

what has technical issues with the plane got to do with the airport?

Aer Lingus regional flights from Dublin can (and do) have technical issues as well, in fact on some routes they use the exact planes you fly on from Cork. of all the things you could blame on Cork Airport, technical faults with planes is not one of them.

also blaming Cork airport for Birmingham based Aer Lingus Regional employees not telling you what the technical fault was is a bit of a leap to be fair.

I was trying to say that the technical issues were hinted to be fog in Cork airport by certain airport staff, hence the flights were cancelled. I was also saying that if Aer Lingus regional gain/have a bad reputation it wont help Cork airport as they fly from that airport. Why would people bother with Aer Lingus and Cork airport when other carriers from other airports would be more reliable?

kub · 28-11-2013 11:45pm

blindsider wrote: »

In May 2006, a 747 took off from the airport going to B'ham - it was full of Munster fans going to the HEC Final in Cardiff - the operator told us the flight was to Bristol, and then changed it late on.

It was def a 747 - I was upstairs - the guy behind me asked the Pilot/co-pilot if it was safe to land etc at Cork airport - the pilot said there was no issue.

I will say, that as it was a day trip, there would have been little luggage on board.

I suspect the larger, loaded aircraft would have problems with the (longest) runway length of 2100m http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_Airport

but I'm sure there are alternatives.

I would love to see a few new routes to get the place going again - I know transatlantic routes are the holy grail - I'd be happy with a few European routes too.

You are correct it was indeed a 747, a few have been used over the years for short hop charters for rugby games and Lourdes etc.
747's on short runs will use less runway as there is hardly any baggage and fuel levels are also low, therefore there is no issue with Cork.
I cannot ever see the demand there for a 747 from Cork to US, besides the possible extra weight from baggage and fuel would probably restrict such an aircraft.
What is ideal is the 747's little sister the 757 which is just a little bigger than the Ryanair machines. These planes already operate transatlantic to destinations even as far into Europe as Germany. Also they are used as charter flights on bucket and spade flights in the summer ex Cork to Spain etc, so they would do the job nicely.
What is annoying is the fact that Aer Lingus will be hiring in 3 of these planes early next year to use them for flights to US and Canada ex Dublin and Shannon. Would have been great to even have a once a week flight to JFK just for starters.

KCAccidental · 28-11-2013 11:45pm

Demonical wrote: »

I was trying to say that the technical issues were hinted to be fog in Cork airport by certain airport staff, hence the flights were cancelled. I was also saying that if Aer Lingus regional gain/have a bad reputation it wont help Cork airport as they fly from that airport. Why would people bother with Aer Lingus and Cork airport when other carriers from other airports would be more reliable?

it's very, very strange that they wouldn't clearly tell passengers it was due to weather conditions. It's normally the first thing they would tell stranded passengers as it takes the blame away from the airline and on to the something they have no control over... the weather!

There's not much Cork airport can do about an airlines reputation. Especially considering the same airline will fly from other airports to the same destinations. There have been plenty of flights cancelled in Dublin due to technical issues etc and it hasn't harmed their reputation any.

Especially so as you'd consider spending 4/5 hours extra travelling time to get where you want to go, just because you perceive it to be more reliable without any evidence!

Lack of new routes at Cork airport

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