Kerry Airport has described as premature and inaccurate Ryanair's claim that it will begin operating the Dublin-Kerry air route, previously run by Stobart Air, from 28 July.
In a statement John Mulhern, CEO Kerry Airport said there has been no formal discussion yet with the airport.
"The Airport has received no notification in any form from Ryanair and thus the airline’s statement of yesterday, Wednesday 14 July, is both premature and inaccurate," he said.
"Kerry Airport has not been informed of the details relating to any such schedule and, at present, cannot confirm or otherwise whether these flights will in fact operate."
Late last week the Government announced Ryanair was to begin flying the route on a commercial basis from 19 July.
It was previously run as a state subsidised Public Service Obligation (PSO) route by Stobart Air prior to its collapse last month.
But Ryanair quickly issued a conflicting statement on Friday afternoon saying that while it had offered to operate a non-subsidised service between Dublin and Kerry, no agreement had yet been concluded.
It said that statement from Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan was issued without it being consulted, and was "premature and inaccurate".
Then yesterday the airline confirmed itself that it would be offering a commercial, unsubsidised flight schedule on the Dublin-Kerry route beginning on 28 July.
Ryanair said because it would be operating on a commercial basis, it would save the taxpayer almost €4m a year.
However, that claim now seems to be in doubt following today’s statement from Kerry airport.
Ryanair declined to comment on the situation today.
In a statement the Department of Transport said the minister would encourage Ryanair and Kerry Airport to engage on what is now a commercial matter between them.
"The Ministers look forward to the return of what will be an improved Dublin Kerry service with extra seats and an early morning and evening flight from both Dublin and Kerry," it said.
"This will ensure that a return trip can be made in one day from both Dublin and Kerry airports and that benefits will flow to the local area."
