The most significant capital investment plans for Cork Airport in nearly a quarter of a century were officially launched by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD
The Cork Airport Capital Development Plan outlines an investment of €200 million by daa in Ireland’s fastest-growing airport, future proofing the airport’s infrastructure for growth and expansion and placing the key transport facility on a strong growth trajectory for the next decade and beyond.
The Cork Airport Development Plan will facilitate the continued growth and expansion of Ireland’s second-largest airport to beyond 5 million passengers per annum in the years ahead. The key aspects of the Capital Development Plan include the construction of a new mezzanine floor with a state-of-the-art passenger security screening area; a new and larger duty-free shop; a new and larger executive lounge; the construction of additional boarding gates; the construction of a new solar farm; the extension of the existing car parks; the demolition of the old terminal and old control tower allowing the construction of a new pier with more boarding gates and aircraft parking stands.
With passenger traffic growth of over 50% in the last decade and offering important direct connectivity to the UK and Europe, and strong European hub connectivity to London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle, Cork Airport continues to grow from strength to strength. The airport plays a vital role in South of Ireland, contributing over €1 billion to the economy and supporting over 12,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly. The launch of today’s Capital Development Plan positions the Republic of Ireland’s second largest and fastest-growing airport to grow beyond 5 million passengers per annum and further boost tourism, industry and foreign direct investment throughout the South of Ireland.
This summer, passengers will be able to see the first “shovel-ready” elements of the plan commencing as work will start on the construction of the new mezzanine floor, to extend over the existing Arrivals area and the delivery of a new oversized baggage security facility. Other elements of the plan, including the construction of a new 1.7Mw solar farm are already in the statutory planning process and are planned to commence upon conclusion of that process later this year.
Speaking as he launched the €200 million Cork Airport Capital Development Plan today, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD said:
“Today is a momentous day for Cork Airport with the launch of an ambitious Capital Development Plan which 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. I have no doubt that the benefits of this plan will only bring further growth to what is already a thriving airport.”
Adding to An Taoiseach’s remarks, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD said:
“The Capital Development Plan launched today clearly shows daa’s commitment to developing Cork Airport’s infrastructure, building on significant improvements to date. These improvements include those supported through Exchequer funding of almost €50 million since 2021, such as the runway remediation project and the planned solar farm. This support reflects Government’s recognition of the crucial role that Cork Airport plays for our connectivity and economic prosperity, and I would like to wish them the best in the coming years in delivering this Development Plan.”
Echoing their comments, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD said:
“Due to the dedication of management and staff here at Cork Airport, services and routes available to passengers in Cork and across the wider region have increased in recent years, and this Plan will ensure that the Airport can grow to accommodate even more demand. Passengers are also assured of a safe and smooth experience as they travel through the airport, with further improvements planned to enhance that journey. I look forward to 2025 being another year of growth and increased connectivity at the Airport.”
Representing daa Group, of which Cork Airport is a key business unit, daa CEO, Kenny Jacobs remarked
“With Project Ireland 2040, we’re expecting a big population boost in the southern region. Cork’s ambition of becoming a major European city of size and scale is a key part of this plan. daa’s €200m Capital Development Plan is set to keep Cork Airport serving the South of Ireland, both economically and socially, making it a crucial part of the region’s infrastructure. We’re super proud of Cork Airport at daa and we’re all in on this exciting journey to help the airport and the region grow and develop into the future.”
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport added:
“Cork Airport is Ireland’s second largest airport and the fastest growing. We have a USP of friendly, easy, no-stress travel with short walking distances from car parks to gate. This is a magic formula for passenger satisfaction and for that reason, and as we continue to grow, we are planning pro-actively now for the next six to ten years. This period will see our passenger levels grow up to and beyond 5 million passengers per annum. 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.”
Details of key aspects of the plan
New mezzanine floor
This new floor will extend outwards over the existing Arrivals area, and will be home to a new, larger, state-of-the-art passenger security area with the latest security technology – C3 EDS – which will eliminate the need to remove liquids, gels, pastes and large electronic items from passengers’ cabin baggage. The new security area, which will incorporate a new fast-track lane, will also aid the efficient throughput of passengers as traffic grows at Cork Airport over the coming decade. The construction of the new mezzanine floor will also provide the space for a new executive lounge, with a larger capacity than the current facility.
New Duty-Free
A larger, improved duty-free shop will be constructed, extending into what is now the existing passenger security screening area. The new Cork Airport Duty Free will be 30% bigger than the current duty-free shop, will have more space, a refreshed look-and-feel with an even wider range of popular cosmetics, fragrances, confectionery, souvenirs, spirits – and a particularly strong emphasis on Irish brands and locally produced artisan foods/alcoholic beverages, which are so popular with passengers at present.
New 1.7Mw solar farm
A new, 1.7Mw solar farm will be constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, which will provide for over 20% of the airport’s electricity needs into the future. The solar panels, which will be mounted on steel frames, will provide a canopy over parked vehicles. A number of locations on the airport campus were evaluated, with the Holiday Blue car park ultimately being selected as the most advantageous and cost-effective location for the solar farm. The solar farm will reduce the airport’s dependency on electricity from the national grid and will enhance the airport’s sustainability and energy efficiency credentials. Cork Airport is currently ranked as the best performing commercial semi-state body for energy reduction by the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Additional parking facilities
As the airport grows and more passengers opt to fly from Cork Airport, it will require the extension of the existing long-term parking facilities. As part of the capital development plan, the Holiday Blue car park will be extended to create an additional 630 parking spaces. For further future growth, a provision for the extension of the existing Express Red car park will be provided in due course. This work will be done in tandem with further engagement with national and regional transport providers, to secure better bus connectivity with the airport, and reducing the dependency on private car traffic.
Conversion of existing cargo hangar to quick turnaround boarding gates
To cater for an increased number of passengers that will be using Cork Airport in the coming decade and beyond, additional boarding gates will be constructed to the northern side of the existing terminal building. Through the utilisation of what is currently a cargo/freight building, two new boarding gates will be added which will enhance Cork Airport’s aircraft parking and passenger handling capabilities, enabling efficient aircraft turnarounds and avoiding any potential congestion on the airport ramp/apron.
Demolition of the old terminal and old control tower allowing the construction of a new pier with more boarding gates and aircraft parking stands
As passenger numbers grow even further in the years beyond, the old terminal and old control tower will be demolished, with the airside apron being brought in line with the existing terminal building. This will facilitate the construction of a new pier, extending from the southern end of the terminal, complete with additional boarding gates, new food and beverage options and facilitating additional “nose-in” aircraft parking stands, substantially increasing capacity of the aerodrome.
Other projects
Various other projects which form the basis for the €200 million Capital Development Plan include: a new oversized baggage security screening facility, which is used for larger items of hold baggage such as musical instruments, golf bags, skis, buggies and other large items that cannot be accommodated on the standard baggage screening system. A new staff security screening area, which will introduce the latest security detection technology and modifications to the existing staff and goods screening area will also be included as part of the capital development programme.
About Cork Airport
Cork Airport – the fastest-growing airport in the state – is the best-connected international airport serving the South of Ireland. In 2024, Cork Airport welcomed 3.1 million passengers (+10% vs. 2023), flying on over 50 routes to the UK and continental Europe and is forecasting strong growth again in 2025.
Cork Airport offers a very pleasant passenger experience, complemented by modern facilities and friendly staff delivering high passenger satisfaction levels, friendly customer service, punctual departures for airlines and is considered one of Europe’s friendliest airports. (ACI Europe “Best International Airport under 5 million passengers” – 2017, 2019).
In addition, Cork Airport is leading the way on sustainability and has been named as the “Best Performing Commercial Semi-State Body” for energy reduction for two years running, as assessed by SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland).
