Aer Lingus CEO hopes to resume flights from Cork soon

Tuesday, 22 June 2021 11:02

The CEO of Aer Lingus says the airline wants to resume flights from Cork Airport as soon as possible.

Lynne Embleton is addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications this morning after the airline said it would not be reversing it's decision to close it's base at Shannon Airport.

The airline announced a temporary three month closure of its base at Cork Airport from September and the permanent closure of it's Shannon base on May 18th.

198 crew and ground staff in Cork will be laid off without pay between September and November.

Eight regional routes from Cork Airport were also lost following the collapse of Stobart Air last week.

Speaking in the past hour, Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton says she recognises the importance of connectivity for the region.

"We would like to get back to connectivity from the regions, from Cork.

"There is no strategic intent to retreat, we want to get flying back up and going and that depends on the ability to do that in a cash positive manner.

"As we see flying enable and some of the restrictions removed, then I'm confident we will be able to do that."