This came on the back of a statement from Aer Lingus – who currently offer 16 routes from Cork – insisting they were dedicated to Cork Airport, with plans for new destinations in the offing.

Concern regarding Cork routes had increased as some of the top brass from Aer Lingus came under mounting pressure to reinstate the Shannon-Heathrow route which was cancelled last week to cater for the new Belfast routes.

Kevin Cullinane (marketing manager, Cork airport) fervently denied suggestions that in recent years the airport had lagged behind other Irish airports like Shannon and Dublin in terms of Destination choices.

Mr. Cullinane stated that Cork airport currently serviced over 40 destinations with plans for 25 more destinations in the coming year. He also predicted that Cork airport would see over 3 million passengers coming through its doors this year