A €200 million capital development plan has been published to cater for the expansion of passenger numbers at Cork Airport over the next decade.
Work on a number of projects detailed in the plan has already begun.
The plan seeks to provide the enabling infrastructure to allow Cork Airport to cater for five million passengers per year within around eight years.
Last year, Cork Airport had a throughput of 3.1 million passengers, the airport’s busiest year in its history for international passenger traffic.
The figure of 3.1 million passengers represents 50% growth in the airport’s passenger base over the past decade.
Cork Airport said it is the second-biggest and fastest-growing airport in the Republic. It expects passenger numbers to grow to 3.4 million this year.
The capital development plan was published at Cork Airport by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Key aspects of the plan include the construction of a new mezzanine floor and passenger security screening area; a new and larger duty-free shop; a new and larger executive lounge; the construction of additional boarding gates; the extension of the existing car parks; and 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.
An application for planning permission has already been lodged for 1.7-megawatt solar farm, which will provide one fifth of the airport’s power requirements.
The solar farm will be built as a roof over one of the airport’s existing carparks. It is expected to be commissioned by late summer next year.
Cork Airport said it contributes more than €1 billion to the economy of the south of the country and supports over 12,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.
It describes the plan as the most significant capital investment for Cork Airport in almost a quarter of a century.
The Taoiseach described the plan as ambitious, adding that it 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,” Mr Martin said.
Daa Chief Executive Kenny Jacobs said the capital development plan will prepare Cork Airport for a population growth in the south of the country which is expected to be greater than the population growth which will be experienced in the eastern region.
“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,” Mr Jacobs said.
“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.”
Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy said the plans ambitions were important not just for Cork, but for the whole southern region.
“We have a unique selling point of friendly, easy, no-stress travel, with short walking distances from car parks to gate,” Mr MacCarthy said.
“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.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the plan shows daa’s “commitment to developing Cork Airport’s infrastructure”.
“These improvements include those supported through Exchequer funding of almost €50m since 2021, such as the runway remediation project and the planned solar farm,” he said.
Mr O’Brien added: “This support reflects Government’s recognition of the crucial role that Cork Airport plays for our connectivity and economic prosperity.”
Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said the capital development plan will make sure Cork Airport can continue growing.
“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.”
