Madam, - I refer to a letter from Ryanair's head of communications in your edition of June 10th about the new development at Cork Airport.
Perhaps Mr Fitzsimmons is unaware that the development plans for Cork Airport were formulated in consultation with airlines and their representatives and that their combined views significantly influenced the ultimate plan.
There were many issues at Cork arising out of its original 1950s design which left it too small and constrained to handle the growing demand from new and existing airlines and to cater adequately for the stringent safety and security measures required of international airports.
We had proposed a less ambitious expansion at Cork but the airline users vehemently objected and demanded a new building rather than the planned extension to the existing building. A consultation process resulted in a plan which met the airlines' requirements as well as all other associated demands for infrastructure and utilities.
But let us address Ryanair's specific cost comparisons between the developments at Frankfurt Hahn and at Cork.
Firstly, the new terminal at Cork will cost €70 million, with the balance of the €140 million investment being spent on new multi-storey and surface carparks; new internal road systems; a new fire station; and the upgrading or replacement of all utility services. The new terminal will provide 25,000 square metres of spacious accommodation for arrivals and departures at different levels; for over 30 check-in desks; and for 3,500 square metres of retail and catering services.
The terminal investment will also cover the provision of new airbridges for enhanced passenger comfort and shelter and facilitate future expansion.
The €11 million Frankfurt Hahn project, on the other hand, involved the conversion of an existing freight hall to provide 4,200 square metres of terminal space to manage a capacity of 1.5 million passengers. The additional 2.5 million passenger capacity at the airport is delivered by a separate existing building. The converted terminal will provide eight check-in desks and 740 square metres of retail/catering space. Arrivals and departures will be on the same floor and there are no airbridges.
As the terminal will handle Shengen area traffic only, the facilities required for immigration and security are much lower than at airports such as Cork.
At a time when it has emerged that Ryanair is paying substantially more for Buzz than it disclosed two months ago, the airline continues to play fast and loose with statistics to suit its own political purposes. - Yours, etc.,
JOE O'CONNOR,
Director,
Cork Airport.