Re: Aer Arann’s Transatlantic Plans for Cork

That’s right – although I’m a little late getting to this on the forum, Aer Arann MD Peadar Ó Ceidigh announced that he is planning to inaugurated a non-stop transatlantic service between Cork to New York and possibly Boston. The flights will most likely be destined for the city’s JFK Airport. Aer Arann plans to begin the service within an 18-month timeframe and talks have been ongoing with ILFSC (Aircraft Leasing Agency) about obtaining what will most likely be 4 ETOPS (Extended Twin-Engine Operations) aircraft such as the Airbus A330-200 (232 seat capacity – an aircraft similar to that in use by Aer Lingus on its Dublin – Los Angeles route) – however such details are only at a speculation stage considering Mr. O’Ceidigh did say that the route would require a 30m euro investment and that the airline was actively looking for investors or an investor to help finance what he believes to be a route would huge potential. Demand is just ‘crying out’ for the route apparently. The routes, if and when operational, will entail a higher frequency in the Spring/Summer months, with reduced activity in the Autumn and Winter seasons.

– in other Aer Arann related news, the airline has also announced its intention to increase Cork-Dublin route frequences bringing total Aer Arann flight numbers for Cork from 172 a week to 212 per week starting as of May. Aer Arann has carried just over 100,000 passengers on its Cork-Dublin route already this year – an increase of 8% on figures for this time last year. The airline will seek to base a further aircraft at Cork this summer to cope with demand.

– Cork Airport Authority have announced that traffic at the airport has increased 17% on the first quarter (in comparison to the same period this time last year). The newly formed Authority says Cork is on target to hit passenger movements of 2.7m for 2005, but may even succeed those figures. That’s a big job for a terminal only designed to cater for 1.5m passengers. The new 280,000sq ft terminal under construction, with an operations date set for November 2005, is designed to facilitate up to 3.3m passengers – with room for expansion subject to demand. It would seem that expansion may be needed sooner that even Aer Rianta (in it’s studies) had predicted.