Flights between Cork Airport and London Heathrow are secure, according to the Minister for Community and Rural Affairs, amid concerns regarding the future of the service.
Business leaders in Cork have been anxious about the stability of the route in the wake of the decision by Aer Lingus to axe the Shannon-Heathrow route earlier this year.
During a visit to north Cork yesterday, Éamon Ó Cuív said Cork had a solid economic advantage over the west.
"The big way of protecting services is to have a dynamic economy where people will want to fly to London, and so on, and I have no doubt that, with the huge growth in Cork and the numbers of new industries setting up in the Cork region, that is the greatest guarantee to the continuation to Heathrow."
Meanwhile, Cork South Central TD Deirdre Clune (FG) has expressed concern at the future of the airport overall following the announcement by the Minister for Transport that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) would be making key decisions about the future debt of Cork Airport.
"[ Minister for Transport] Noel Dempsey has told me in the Dáil that DAA will have the key role in finalising the financial framework and business plan for Cork Airport's future. Cork Airport's best interests will not be the deciding factor in any decision on Cork's debt and independence, but the conflicting interests of the DAA will play a vital role in his decision."
Ms Clune said the news that the DAA failed to inform Shannon airport about Aer Lingus's plans to axe the Heathrow routes did not bode well for Cork.
Lobby groups in the southwest are also furious at the news that the DAA knew in advance of Aer Lingus's plans.