Cork Chamber in association with Cork Airport today launched the results of its Business Travel Survey, which both organisations joined forces on in late 2007 to assess the demand for air services to the UK, Continental Europe and the East Coast of the United States. The survey analysed the usage and attitudes of regional businesses towards air services from Cork Airport and draws attention to specific obstacles to business needs, as perceived by small, medium-sized and multinational companies.

The 141 companies who completed the survey currently employ 36,816 people in Ireland, 19,301 people in Cork and accounted for a total of 25,008 flights from Cork Airport. Over 83% of chief executives ranked air transportation as being either vital or very important for their business.

Commenting on the results, Chairman of Cork Chamber’s Aviation Committee, Mr George Barter highlighted the importance of the ongoing expansion and development of the route network at Cork Airport to the ongoing growth of the regional economic base. Mr Barter said, “We have seen a number of new routes developed by a large number of airlines at Cork Airport over the last couple of years, which provide business customers with better market access and wider choice. In this regard, I would like to congratulate Cork Airport Authority on the introduction of the Cork Airport European Route Support Scheme, which has contributed to the successful launch of these schemes”.

Mr Barter went on to say, “However, as exemplified by the results of this survey, new and improved services are necessary for businesses in the region, in particular new routes to key German and Italian cities and increased routes and frequency to UK destinations.  Over 50% of respondents also indicated that they would avail of a direct, non-stop, year round service to key cities on the East Coast of the USA if it was available from Cork Airport.  All regional stakeholders now need to concentrate on establishing and developing such links in the immediate future”.

According to Mr Kevin Cullinane, Marketing Manager, Cork Airport, “The importance and critical nature of the London Heathrow hub to the region and to the surrounding catchment area was to the fore of the research findings. Nearly 32% of business travellers used the London Heathrow hub for onward connections to Europe when flying from Cork Airport. In addition, almost 50% used the London Heathrow hub when flying to the USA/Canada from Cork Airport”.

Mr Conor Healy, Cork Chamber Chief Executive stated, “Another key area highlighted by the research findings, was an urgent need for airport infrastructure to the prioritised. In this respect, Cork Chamber recommends that an innovative transport connection to the City Centre from Cork Airport be examined over the next number of years and propose that this could be integrated into the Cork Area Strategic Plan Update and the new City and County Development Plans 2009 – 2015”.

Other findings from the survey include:

· Over 70% of business travellers flew direct from Cork when travelling to the UK, compared with 33% flying direct from Cork Airport to Europe

· Some 86% of respondents used Cork Airport when flying to the UK and 75% used Cork Airport when flying to Continental Europe

· When travelling to the USA/Canada, 48% of the respondents used Shannon Airport
· Aer Lingus was the preferred choice of airline by the regional business community when flying to the UK, Europe and the USA/Canada

· Convenience was ranked as being the most important influencing factor on a company’s decision to use any new direct air services from Cork Airport to the USA, Canada or Continental Europe, followed by daily flight availability

· Increased connections to hubs from Cork Airport were highlighted as a key priority. Examples cited included Amsterdam and Paris

· Increased direct flights to European Cities, in particular key German cities such as Frankfurt, Cologne and Dusseldorf and Northern Italian cities were highlighted as being of great importance

· Increased frequency to regional UK Airports were deemed of great importance to the region in terms of increasing visitors to the Cork region. Examples included Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham

· Additional route to London City Airport was deemed necessary by the business community

· Increased routes from Ryanair, as a low cost airline was requested by respondents and highlighted as being of potentially great benefit to the regional business community.

ENDS