Latest news with #NiallMacCarthy
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- 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
- 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
Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- 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.'
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork Airport named best in Europe for third time
Cork Airport was named the best airport in Europe, under five million passengers, at the Airport Council International (ACI) Europe Best Airport Awards held in Athens on Thursday night. It is the third time Cork Airport has won the award, having won it previously in 2017 and 2019. The award acknowledges Cork's excellence in passenger experience, operational efficiency, route development, sustainability and innovation. "This recognition is thoroughly deserved," Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe director general, said. "The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals. 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. Last year, Cork Airport saw 10% passenger growth to 3.2 million passengers, forecast to rise this year to 3.4 million passengers. In May, it announced a €200m investment by Dublin Airport Authority in the development of new infrastructure, including an extended mezzanine floor, larger duty-free shop, bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier to facilitate growth up to five million passengers. Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Cork 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." Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport's managing director, said: '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. 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.' Dublin Airport Authority chief executive Kenny Jacobs said the award was a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground. "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," he said. Read More Rory Gallagher Avenue unveiled at Cork Airport to honour legendary guitarist's enduring legacy
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork Airport in direct competition with Shannon as new passengers on radar
Attracting passenger traffic from outside the county is crucial to the future of Cork Airport to reach ambitious plans to reach 5m passengers, with Ireland's southern air gateway now in direct competition with Shannon for business, managing director Niall MacCarthy said. The airport attracted 3.1m passengers in 2024 and is predicting growth to 3.4m passengers this year, with plans to grow to 5m. Cork Airport is now pushing beyond its traditional customer base, Mr MacCarthy said, with high volumes coming from Kerry, Waterford, and south Tipperary crucial revenue streams. 'Cork could not support an airport on its own. If we were just a one-county airport, we'll forever be small,' Mr MacCarthy said. 'We need traffic all the way up to south Kilkenny and Wexford to be able to go to airlines and say there's a viable hinterland here.' Shannon Airport attracted 2.1m passengers in 2024, its highest number of passengers in 15 years and a 7% increase on 2023. Shannon Airport Group invested €8m in the mid-west airport in 2024, and has announced plans for a further €30m investment, including a €3m solar PV farm, a €2.5m building thermal wrap, extended boarding gates, upgraded immigration and baggage hauls and 1,000 new car park spaces. Earlier this month, the €200m Cork Airport Development Plan was unveiled, with a new terminal mezzanine floor; new security screening, boarding gates, executive lounges; airbridges, duty-free shop, and a 1.7Mw solar farm. The old terminal and control tower buildings will be replaced with a new pier and additional aircraft parking stands. KSG's Cillian Cashman, Liam Noone, and Monique Egan with DAA chie executive Kenny Jacobs, Cork Airport managing director Niall MacCarthy, and deputy managing director Roy O'Driscoll at the official reopening of the Craft restaurant and bar at Cork Airport. Mr MacCarthy said the two regional airports are now vying for the same traffic. 'Cork is now by far the State's second biggest airport, and we're Munster's biggest. Our hinterland overlaps, so there's a lot of competition in the airport business,' said Mr MacCarthy. 'For inbound and outbound, if you live in Kerry, you can fly from Kerry Airport to Spain or to the UK, you can fly from Cork, Shannon, or Dublin. If you were in north Tipperary, you probably five options, with Knock as well. So absolutely, we are in competition with Shannon. Competition is healthy because it keeps everyone on their game. If we didn't offer a friendly service with a clean terminal with short wait times and relatively cheap parking, we'd be out of business." Cork Airport management have made a submission to government to safeguard land for a Luas spur going from the city to the airport. In the meantime, Mr MacCarthy said that for Cork Airport to attract the passengers from the regions, better connectivity is crucial. 'We'd love a Killarney bus service to be stopping off at Cork Airport. We'd love a Kilkenny service stopping off, and a Waterford service,' he said. DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs noted Dublin is connected to every single county in the country while Cork Airport has just three bus routes. 'We need more bus routes, and even the bus that comes from Kinsale is full by the time it's a few stops away. So definitely, we need more bus connectivity while we're waiting for the Luas.' This week, the newly refurbished Craft airside bar and restaurant was officially opened at Cork Airport by Mr Jacobs, Mr MacCarthy, and KSG chief executive, Michael Gleeson, with seating extended and a more extensive menu with a focus on local produce.
