Airline to cease shorthaul cargo services from three main airports

Aer Lingus has confirmed that all shorthaul cargo services from Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports will cease early next year.

The airline said the transition to a new fleet of Airbus aircraft on shorthaul routes was the main reason for phasing out the cargo service. The new aircraft - Airbus 320s - have increased passenger capacity but less space for cargo, said a spokeswoman.

She said the other reason for the move was the "repositioning" of the airline's cargo service within its overall business plan.

"We will continue to carry cargo on all transatlantic flights and on our Frankfurt route. Some transatlantic cargo originates from there," said the spokeswoman.

The company employs about 190 people in its cargo division. This is expected to fall to about 116 by 2007. Reaction to the move among some politicans was negative.

Ms Kathleen Lynch TD from Cork north central, said it would make the Cork region less attractive to foreign investors. "Cork is the location for many important industries in both the high-tech and pharmaceuticals sectors," she said.

"Companies like these frequently depend on rapid reaction cargo consignments to enable the speedy transit of key goods and to facilitate the early movement of crucial supplies and spare parts. If such companies have to send and receive goods via Dublin, it will clearly add to costs and will be a barrier to expansion and development," she said.