Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The movement of aircraft at Cork Airport is an operational matter for the airport authorities and the airlines concerned, subject to compliance with aviation safety requirements. However, I am informed by the Dublin Airport Authority that for the first four months of this year, 1.8% of planned arrivals at Cork Airport were diverted or cancelled, compared to an average annual diversion rate of approximately 1%. The main reason for this excess above the norm was a particularly bad spell of bad weather during March when the diversion rate reached 3.8%. Overall, I am informed that the rate of diversions at Cork Airport is in line with international statistics. Ultimately, a decision to land or divert an aircraft is a matter for the pilot, having regard to all safety requirements.

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