DAA has asked Aer Lingus to weigh Cork-New York flights using new jets designed to cut long-haul travel costs, according to the airports’ company chief executive, Kenny Jacobs.
Speaking after confirming that Dublin and Cork airports them handled 37.7 million passengers in total last year, Mr Jacobs said the airport operator hoped Aer Lingus would base one of its new Airbus jets, capable of flying long and shorter distances, at the Republic’s second biggest airport.
This would open the door to transatlantic flights from there, including to New York. Mr Jacobs said that DAA had raised this with Aer Lingus, but the airline told the company it had first to receive the new aircraft before deciding on where to operate them.
The Airbus A321 extra long range (XLR) jets that Aer Lingus is due to receive this year are built to cut the cost of long-haul flying. The carrier intends using them to boost its transatlantic business, a key source of revenues and profits.
DAA aims to increase numbers at Cork Airport from more than three million last year to five million. “Cork is the fastest growing airport in the country,” Mr Jacobs noted.
As predicted, Dublin Airport last year breached the controversial 32 million passenger limit imposed on it by planners in 2007.
DAA expects a European court will deal with critical legal issues raised by the cap early next year. The Irish High Court referred questions raised by airlines in a challenge to the cap to Europe.
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