Cork Transport
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@jungle wrote:
…..Airbridge. There’s only one there, the others are just the stumps of airbridges.
At the moment Centralwings and Malev are using it. Aer Lingus are in dispute with the airport over the cost. Most of the other airlines either can’t use it (e.g. Aer Arann) or won’t use it regardless of the cost (e.g. Ryanair).
Ah so! Then we have an equivalent to a frost-free highway in tropical Africa!! Dare I say a white elephant!!
@Praxiteles wrote:
Ah so! Then we have an equivalent to a frost-free highway in tropical Africa!! Dare I say a white elephant!!
I think that remains to be seen. From next summer, Central Wings will have 10 flights a week into Cork with rumours of further expansion to come. So, we’d be looking at 14 scheduled flights.
Then a number of charter operators would also use the airbridge.
It is also necessary (although multiple airbridges is arguable necessary) if they are trying to attract a transatlantic operator.
The real key is to get Aer Lingus to start using it.
At the moment, the charge to use the airbridge is 66% higher than in Dublin. Airport management need to ask themselves whether the extra revenue obtained by getting Aer Lingus to use it would be worth dropping the price. Considering Aer Lingus are operating 12 flights a day* into Cork, the small amount of revenue lost from other airlines makes this a no-brainer for me.
*Although it is worth remembering that a number of these arrive/depart at similar times, so they couldn’t all use the same airbridge.
@jungle wrote:
I think that remains to be seen. From next summer, Central Wings will have 10 flights a week into Cork with rumours of further expansion to come. So, we’d be looking at 14 scheduled flights.
Then a number of charter operators would also use the airbridge.
It is also necessary (although multiple airbridges is arguable necessary) if they are trying to attract a transatlantic operator.
The real key is to get Aer Lingus to start using it.
At the moment, the charge to use the airbridge is 66% higher than in Dublin. Airport management need to ask themselves whether the extra revenue obtained by getting Aer Lingus to use it would be worth dropping the price. Considering Aer Lingus are operating 12 flights a day* into Cork, the small amount of revenue lost from other airlines makes this a no-brainer for me.
*Although it is worth remembering that a number of these arrive/depart at similar times, so they couldn’t all use the same airbridge.
Airbridges seem to be a normal feature of every modern airport that I have gone through. Having just one at a newly build terminal in Cork is inexplicable and downright backward. At this rate of going, are they going to require all planes landing at Cork to have propellers?
@jungle wrote:
I may be wrong on this, but I think the control tower would be financed by the IAA rather than the airport
T’would make sense alright. I hope to God its true, although they’ll probably bring in a new law weeks before it’s completion saying the CAA will have to pay the bill. Oh, and what is with Flyglobespan starting flights to New York from Knock! It’s a stopover point for the Liverpool-JFK flight begining in May (I think). Cork looses out again.
@A-ha wrote:
T’would make sense alright. I hope to God its true, although they’ll probably bring in a new law weeks before it’s completion saying the CAA will have to pay the bill. Oh, and what is with Flyglobespan starting flights to New York from Knock! It’s a stopover point for the Liverpool-JFK flight begining in May (I think). Cork looses out again.
Knock gets Trans Atlantic Flights.
Limerick gets Thomond Park & UL Sports Campus ,events centre etc.
Dublin gets Commuter Rail,Luas & Metro.
Killarney the NationalEvents Centre.
Cork gets 1 airbridge (partially unused),Half arsed refurbishments of Bus and Rail Stations,South Ring Flyovers,and North Ring & Macroom by-pass on long finger along with Docklands inertia.
Tolls on the Fermoy by-pass.
Best of luck to Knock and other areas of the country for getting things done.Watch the new NDP – Everywhere will be a “development centre” or a “hub”.
@A-ha wrote:
Heard there’s going to be a new contol tower built at the airport. Only word of mouth at the moment, but it seems to make sense if the old terminal is to be knocked. Was out there the other day, looks to be busy constantly but it’s a shame we haven’t had a new route announcement in months. Starbucks make the airport, there should be another one open up in the city.
As far as I know a new control tower was part of the original plans for the airport upgrade. It was to be situated across the runway opposite the terminal. I think that that was on the model in the old terminal
@Spinal Tap wrote:
Watch the new NDP – Everywhere will be a “development centre” or a “hub”.
It’s funny ‘cos its true. But don’t forget “gateway” and “focus region”. I was speechless when I heard about Knock. Why do I have the feeling that Farranfore in Kerry will have flights to the US before we will?
I’m not sure how Globespan are operating those flights. As far as I can see, the aviation bilateral between Ireland and the US allows for
-As many flights as you like from Shannon, provided you are a US or Irish airline and you are flying to one of the designated US gateways (except Charters)
-As many flights as you like from Dublin, provided you are a US or Irish airline and you are flying to one of the designated US gateways and you have one flight into Shannon for every one into Dublin (except Charters)
-Charter flights from Cork and Knock to the US on an Irish airlineConsidering Globespan aren’t an Irish airline (and not even a US one, it would appear to be a breach of this).
Then again, I don’t begrudge Knock the flights, so as annoying as the bilateral is, it’s probably best not to make a fuss about it.
I’m not sure Globespan are the sort of operator Cork is looking for anyway. It would hopefully be a business as well as leisure route. As such a US airline that offers interlining etc. would be a better bet. When we are rid of the cursed bilteral, I’d put my money on Continental being the airline to launch Cork-US flights.
Something from this morning’s quondam Cork Examiner:
26 January 2007
Airport blown off course by the winds of change
RECENTLY I returned to Ireland after a few years abroad. I have taken several flights since my return using my local airport, Cork. Last week my flight into it was diverted to Shannon because of a strong cross-wind.
This led me to enquire about facilities at Cork. I was taken aback by the revelation that despite a lot of trumpeting, things have not improved. There has been no investment in the cross runway, so users are likely to be diverted when the westerly wind rises.
Then I learned the Government has given Cork its own company to run and develop the airport. However, the Government has not given the company any power and it must apply to Dublin for every cent.
I have been soaked to the skin walking to the aircraft parking location. I have been soaked all over again getting to the car park. I have been fleeced to use the car park in addition to the excessive prices in shops and restaurants at the airport. Perhaps you will understand my amazement on learning that Shannon can offer incentives to airlines, an unprecedented redundancy payment to staff, and an astonishing €10,000 to those who opt to remain.
Meanwhile, Cork can’t even get a covered walkway for its rain-sodden users. The new board at Cork is getting money for jam. It appears to do nothing and certainly has no clout with its Dublin masters. It must be costing at least €250,000 a year to sustain this charade.
Spend the money on facilities, and not on Government appointees who deliberate on little more than the colour of the toilet paper.
Maybe I should move to Shannon.
Paul O’Reilly
19 Leeside Apartments
Devonshire Street West
CorkThe Inspectors Report into the Midleton Line was published recently;
http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=8748&lang=ENG&loc=845
In short, good to go, with some minor amendments. Midleton residents will be delighted to hear that Phase 1 of the Northern Relief Road is to be finished by Sept 08, with Phase 2 (From the Mill Road right around to the N25 East of the town) beginning after that point.
And Midleton residents will be delighted to know that CPOs are going out this year for the upgrading of the N25 from Carrigtwohill – Midleton to a higher standard, with removal of median crossings.
I’d rather the money went elsewhere personally, but people on here will probably like it 🙂
Its required for a few reasons Chris – the Amgen plant and the Castlerock developments are going to entail flyovers and development along the margin, and the Railway development is going to have an impact on local roads anyways – better to do it all at once, and properly.
Also, theres around 36,000 vehicle movements a day on that road at that point (and over 50k beyond Little Island) – only a matter of time before there is a very serious accident involving those non grade separated junctions. There are accidents on the road regularly enough as it stands. They should probably even consider going to three lanes on that stretch – given the volume of traffic Amgen and all the building in Midleton is going to generate. Remember the SLAP forecast over 21,000 people living in Midleton by 2020*.
* The 2006 cenus gave 26,663 in the RD (which does go to the coast) and nearly 4k in the town.
Seems this issue has not settled just yet.. Irish Ferries announced earlier this week that they would be selling their old Ireland – France vessel, “MS Normandy” in the Autumn – she is old and probably within SCF’s budget, and might just fit Swansea. However, I don’t know if IF would be keen to sell to a competitor!
FERRY BOSSES IN PLEDGE TO RETURN
CHRIS PEREGRINE
10:30 – 27 January 2007
South Wales Evening Post 10:53
Swansea Cork Ferries bosses are promising the service will be back
next year.They pulled the plug on it earlier this month after failing to
find a new vessel for the route.The move will cost both areas millions in lost income. But the company
insists it remains determined to acquire a suitable ship so it can come back
strongly in 2008.“We are actively pursuing a new vessel in time for the 2008 season,”
said a company spokesman.However, he ruled out the possibility of any early purchase leading to
a resumption this year.“The reality of the situation is that it is too late for 2007,” he
said.Any purchase would have to be accompanied by a planned new marketing
strategy.He insisted, though, that every avenue would be pursued to make next
year a reality.The company says it has also been encouraged by the involvement of
bodies such as Swansea Council and the Assembly in moves to get the venture
back up and running again. Both have expressed concern at the service’s
demise and the loss of 30 jobs.“The fact they are showing interest is very important to the company,”
said the spokesman.A Swansea Council spokesman said: “We are liaising closely with our
partners in the Assembly and are making every attempt to convene a meeting
with the ferry company to explore how we can support them and ensure that
the service returns as soon as possible.”An Assembly spokesman said: “We are in communication with management
of Swansea Cork Ferries to discuss how we can help over the job losses.”The sudden announcement that the company had been unable to buy a
replacement vessel for the mv Superferry, which had come to the end of the
line, sent shock waves through local communities.The service was launched in 1987 and carried more than three million
passengers over the years.The company took the Superferry out of commission, saying it was past
its best and had limited freight capacity.Their plans to replace it in time for the 2007 season – due to start
on Friday, March 16 – foundered when negotiations to buy a replacement ship
collapsed over Christmas.Fears over the future of the route were first raised last August when
the company announced it was ending the 2006 season early and selling its
only ship.QUOTE=Fearg:Seems this issue has not settled just yet.. Irish Ferries announced earlier this week that they would be selling their old Ireland – France vessel, “MS Normandy” in the Autumn – she is old and probably within SCF’s budget, and might just fit Swansea. However, I don’t know if IF would be keen to sell to a competitor!
Don’t think sell to competitor would bother Irish ferries…if the money right….Irish ferries have taken an option on the currently named m/s ‘Kronprins Harald’. The total cost is in the order of Eur. 45million, including modifications and delivery.
The ship will remain in operation with Color Line on charter until the end of summer 2007. Irish Ferries expects to take delivery of the vessel in October ‘07, after which some modifications will be made to adapt it for use in the company’s area of operation and prior to her entering service out of Rosslare before the end of the year, operating under a new name which is yet to be decided.
Built in Turku, Finland in 1987, it has operated on the Oslo – Kiel route facilitating the overnight cruise market with which it has built a strong reputation.
Built to very high standards and maintained in excellent condition, the vessel represents what Irish Ferries describe as ‘outstanding value’ in terms of the quality and range of on-board facilities.
Like the Cork airport pictures , it’s look nice and light and airy and I like that the colours are sober. Shame about the clunky monitors though and yes, the seating does look rather hostile.
PTB, maps of the Northern Relief Road in Midleton can be found here;
http://www.corkcoco.ie/co/pdf/182083653.pdf
Also pages 33-35 of this have a lot of detail
http://www.corkcoco.ie/co/pdf/176646608.pdf
CPO was published last year (for phase 1 only I think – Cork road to Railway station..
More great news for Cork.
Fly New York or Boston to Knock 5 times a week !
Well done Cork Airport,Aer Rianta and our esteemed Government.
Knock airport to begin New York services
29/01/2007 – 12:02:07 PM
Tourism Ireland, the organisation responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas, has welcomed the decision by Flyglobespan to commence scheduled services from New York and Boston into Ireland West Airport Knock in May of this year.
Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland Paul O’Toole said: “The new services were a huge vote of confidence in the region.
“They will substantially expand air travel options for potential tourists and open up Ireland’s Western Regions even more as a holiday destination to the lucrative North American market.
“Tourism Ireland will work closely with Flyglobespan, Ireland West Airport Knock and the industry both in Ireland and in the United States, to promote and maximise the inbound tourism potential presented by these new transatlantic routes.”
“The additional capacity facilitated by the FlyGlobeSpan from both Boston and New York to Ireland West Airport will play an important role in growing visitor numbers even further from North America following a very strong performance from this market in 2006.
“Numbers from North America topped 1 million for the first time since 2000 (up 11%) and we in Tourism Ireland have set a target to grow this number by a further 5% in 2007.
“The new services announced here today will do much to help us achieve this ambitious target of 1.1 million visitors from North America to the island of Ireland this year,” he continued.
Ireland West Airport Knock M.D. Liam Scollan said: “These new routes will put the West and the North West of Ireland firmly on the tourist trail for US visitors and I am sure this will boost Tourism Ireland’s plans to continually improve visitor numbers to Ireland and extend tourism benefits throughout the regions.”
Tourism Ireland’s recent review of the North American market found that while Ireland has enjoyed continuing expansion of air services to/from the US, current high load factors are frustrating demand and hampering visitor growth.
Paul O’Toole said: “The announcement of these new services is timely and welcome given the findings of our recent research that increased capacity is vital if Ireland is to fully realise its potential from the North American market. We are also totally committed to encouraging new route developments which improve access to the regions,” he said.
The level of interest in visiting Ireland has never been higher and over half (56%) of US outbound pleasure travellers say they are “extremely or very likely to visit or re-visit Ireland”, according to the Tourism Ireland research.
Nearly half of those who expressed strong interest in visiting Ireland say they are likely to make the trip in the next five years.
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