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Irish Post
22-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Cork Airport once again named best regional airport in Europe
CORK AIRPORT has been named as Europe's best regional airport for a third time at a prestigious awards ceremony. It was crowned Best Airport in Europe (under 5 million passengers) at the Airport Council International (ACI) Europe Best Airport Awards 2025. The airport previously won the award in 2017 and 2019. Congratulating the airport on its success, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "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 [Cork Airport Managing Director] 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." 'Immensely proud' ACI Europe represents more than 600 airports in 55 countries. Its 2025 Best Airport Awards, held this week in Athens, Greece, honoured innovative airports across the continent, from the largest and busiest hubs to smaller but essential regional airports. Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe Director General, said Cork Airport's latest honour was 'thoroughly deserved'. "The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals," he added. "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." Meanwhile, the airport's Managing Director said the success was a team effort. "This award is a fantastic endorsement of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is — from our frontline teams to those behind-the-scenes, and everyone in between," said Mr MacCarthy. "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. "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." Growth plans In 2024, Cork Airport welcomed 3.2m passengers, representing a 10 per cent increase on the previous year. It is set to exceed 3.4m passengers this year, with four new routes to Corfu, Izmir, Bilbao and Bordeaux recently added. In May, the Taoiseach announced a €200m investment by daa Group to develop the infrastructure at the airport to facilitate growth up to and beyond 5m passengers. The plans include a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, larger duty-free shop, bigger executive lounge, more car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier. See More: ACI Europe, Cork, Cork Airport, Daa Group, Micheál Martin
The Journal
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Cork Airport to undergo €200 million expansion over the next decade
CORK AIRPORT IS set to undergo a major expansion over the next decade as part of a €200 million development plan. The plan will see the demolition and replacement of the airport's old terminal and old control tower along with a new pier and additional aircraft parking stands. Daa, the operator of Cork Airport, said the 'significant investment' will also include a new mezzanine floor in the terminal, new security screening area, a larger duty-free shop, installation of new airbridges and long-term car park extension. The upgrade will enable the airport to cater for five million passengers per annum in the years ahead. The airport is expected to serve over 3.4 million passengers this year, having grown its passenger base by over 50% in the last decade. Cork Airport said it contributes over €1 billion to the Irish economy and supports over 12,000 people, directly and indirectly. It described the expansion plan as 'the most significant capital investment plans for Cork Airport in nearly a quarter of a century'. Advertisement The programme was launched by Taoiseach Micheál Martin today. He said the plan 'emphasises the importance of the airport to both the regional and national economy'. 'Cork Airport has become a critical component of our national transport infrastructure and as Ireland's fastest growing airport, its continued development is paramount,' Martin said. 'I have no doubt that the benefits of this plan will only bring further growth to what is already a thriving airport.' Asked today if he would like to see plans to extended the proposed new Cork Luas to the airport, the Taoiseach said it would be 'a huge undertaking' to get the existing plans built. He said an eventual connection to the airport would be a 'very good, integrated proposal in terms of the city centre', but added that 'we have to await public consultations'. 'If we could get the existing Luas as per the publication delivered, I certainly would look forward to going up to the airport.' Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said the investment comes on top of the nearly €50 million in Exchequer funding since 2021, which facilitated a number of improvements, including the runway remediation project and the planned solar farm. Niall MacCarthy, the managing director of Cork Airport, said: 'What we have announced today is a significant capital infrastructure plan not just for Cork Airport but for the entire South of Ireland region and our team will be proud to lead its delivery.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
