Calls for Oireachtas meeting to discuss the future of aviation and airports in Ireland 

An Oireachtas meeting on the future of Ireland’s aviation sector should be a priority, according to a Cork Senator.

Senator Jerry Buttimer (FG) wrote to the Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks, TD Kieran O’Donnell (FG), this week to call for a meeting on this issue.

Mr Buttimer said he believed holding such a meeting should be a “priority” given the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation sector in Ireland and, in particular Irish airports.

“I would request that you hold urgent hearings on the future of Ireland’s aviation sector, especially the future of all state airports arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Mr Buttimer, in his email to Deputy O’Donnell.

“In addition, I’m asking that we hear from the members of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce who published a comprehensive report.

“Given the plummeting travel figures, job losses, accumulation of losses by DAA along with the potential base closures by Ryanair and Aer Lingus, I believe this meeting should be a priority,” he added.

Cork Airport has been in the headlines in recent weeks after management admitted the Covid-19 pandemic has had a “catastrophic” impact on the airport’s finances.

Management revealed that the airport expects to lose around €20 million this year after seeing passenger numbers fall by 95 percent during lockdown.

Meanwhile, Ryanair has threatened to pull its winter base from the airport over what it labelled was the government “mismanagement” of the green travel list.

Senator Buttimer has called on the government to intervene and ensure the future of Cork Airport, which he said would prevent the loss of thousands of jobs in the Cork region.