Cork Airport named best in Europe for the third time
It was previously awarded the honour in 2017 and 2019.
The award celebrates and acknowledges Cork Airport's continued excellence in passenger experience, operational efficiency, route development, sustainability and innovation.
Olivier Jankovec, ACI europe director general, said the airport thoroughly deserved the recognition.
'The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals,' he said.
Commenting, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it is clear the airport is going from 'strength to strength.'
'It is clear that Cork Airport is going from strength-to-strength every year and this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of Niall MacCarthy and all his team there,' Mr Martin said.
'I know there are plans to further develop the airport and I look forward to seeing Cork Airport continue to flourish as Ireland's fastest growing airport.'
In 2024, Cork Airport welcomed 3.2 million passengers representing 10% growth compared to 2023 figures.
This year, the airport is expected to see 3.4 million passengers.
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Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport's managing director, said the ACI award is a 'fantastic endorsement' of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is.
'It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships we've built with all our stakeholders, and the loyalty of our passengers who continue to choose Cork Airport,' Mr MacCarthy said.
'We're immensely proud to win this award for the third time and we're committed to continuing to grow our contribution to the south of Ireland.'
In May this year, a €200 million investment by daa Group in the development of Cork Airport was announced.
The Capital Development Plan includes a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, larger duty-free shop, bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier – all designed to facilitate growth up to and beyond 5 million passengers.
Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, said his organisation was thrilled to see Cork Airport named Europe's best regional airport again.
"It's a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground who deliver for passengers every single day,' he said.
'This award's not just for the airport - it's for Cork, for Munster, and for Ireland. We have big plans for Cork, and this is a great boost.'
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Irish Times
23-06-2025
- Irish Times
Cork Airport named best regional airport in Europe for third time
They may not have won the Euromillions, but Cork Airport is celebrating after being crowned best airport in Europe. The airport's managing director Niall MacCarthy and his team scooped the top award for airports in Europe carrying less than five million passengers. Cork previously won the prestigious Air Council International Best Airport in Europe Award in 2017 and 2019 and, according to the judges, won this year's award for its 'continued excellence' in passenger experience, operational efficiency, route development, sustainability and innovation. Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe director general said Cork's success was well deserved as the airport team had 'worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals'. READ MORE 'Their success is clearly reflected in increased air connectivity and passenger numbers which means a growing contribution from the airport to the regional economy, tourism and competitiveness,' said Mr Jankovec, noting Cork was Ireland's fastest growing airport with 14 per cent growth so far this year. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who recently renamed the main entrance to the airport, Rory Gallagher Avenue, in honour of the famous Cork guitarist, paid tribute to the team at the airport for growing passenger numbers from 3.1 million in 2024 to a projected 3.4 million this year. 'This is a prestigious honour for Cork Airport to once again be recognised as Europe's best regional airport. It is clear that Cork Airport is going from strength to strength every year, and this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of Niall MacCarthy and all his team there. 'I know there are plans to further develop the airport and I look forward to seeing Cork Airport continue to flourish as Ireland's fastest growing airport,' said Mr Martin, who last month announced a €200 million investment by DAA in the Leeside airport. The DAA investment is designed to cater for projected passenger growth to over five million in the next decade, and among the planned improvements was the construction of a new mezzanine floor over the existing arrivals area to accommodate a new, larger state-of-the-art passenger security area The new security area, which is due to start construction this August and be commissioned by late December 2026, will incorporate the latest security technology, C3 EDS, which eliminates the need to remove liquids, gels, pastes and large electronic items from passengers' cabin luggage. The €200 million investment will also facilitate the construction of an improved duty-free shop, 30 per cent larger than the current duty-free shop, with the expansion, which will be completed by August 2027, being accommodated in the existing passenger security screening area, he added.
Irish Post
22-06-2025
- Irish Post
Cork Airport once again named best regional airport in Europe
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Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Cork Airport named best in Europe for the third time
The airport won the 'under 5 million passengers' category, and it marked the third time that Ireland's fastest growing airport won the accolade. It was previously awarded the honour in 2017 and 2019. The award celebrates and acknowledges Cork Airport's continued excellence in passenger experience, operational efficiency, route development, sustainability and innovation. Olivier Jankovec, ACI europe director general, said the airport thoroughly deserved the recognition. 'The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals,' he said. Commenting, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it is clear the airport is going from 'strength to strength.' 'It is clear that Cork Airport is going from strength-to-strength every year and this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of Niall MacCarthy and all his team there,' Mr Martin said. 'I know there are plans to further develop the airport and I look forward to seeing Cork Airport continue to flourish as Ireland's fastest growing airport.' In 2024, Cork Airport welcomed 3.2 million passengers representing 10% growth compared to 2023 figures. This year, the airport is expected to see 3.4 million passengers. ADVERTISEMENT Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport's managing director, said the ACI award is a 'fantastic endorsement' of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is. 'It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships we've built with all our stakeholders, and the loyalty of our passengers who continue to choose Cork Airport,' Mr MacCarthy said. 'We're immensely proud to win this award for the third time and we're committed to continuing to grow our contribution to the south of Ireland.' In May this year, a €200 million investment by daa Group in the development of Cork Airport was announced. The Capital Development Plan includes a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, larger duty-free shop, bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier – all designed to facilitate growth up to and beyond 5 million passengers. Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, said his organisation was thrilled to see Cork Airport named Europe's best regional airport again. "It's a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground who deliver for passengers every single day,' he said. 'This award's not just for the airport - it's for Cork, for Munster, and for Ireland. We have big plans for Cork, and this is a great boost.'
