Cork Airport is celebrating one of the best years in its 63-year history as it proved to be the fastest growing airport last year with passenger numbers up 10 per cent to top the three million mark for the first time in over a decade.
According to figures from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) which operates Cork Airport, the terminal welcomed its three millionth passenger just before Christmas and the airport closed out 2024 as Ireland’s fastest growing airport as a total number of 3.1 million passengers passed through its doors.
According to the DAA, Cork Airport got off to a flying start in 2024 with passenger traffic during the months of January, February and March up 14 per cent, 23 per cent and 25 per cent, while summer also brought increased business with news routes to Rhodes and Zadar as well as one to Brussels Charleroi.
Among the best performing routes out of Cork in 2024 were Paris Beauvais, Valencia, Barcelona, Faro, Rhodes, London Gatwick, Malaga, Lanzarote, Palma and Reus, while there was significant growth in passengers travelling to and from some of Cork Airport’s key European markets.
Passenger traffic to and from Poland increased by 33 per cent, with traffic to and from Spain increasing by 20 per cent, as traffic to and from France increased by 19 per cent, and traffic to and from Germany increased by 12 per cent.
Cork Airport managing director Niall MacCarthy said that a positive visitor experience was a key part of the growth, with 95 per cent of people departing from the airport clearing security screening in 15 minutes or less and independent market research found a 94 per cent satisfaction rating.
“2024 was an excellent year for Cork Airport with new routes and new airlines making our airport the fastest growing airport in Ireland and with the highest customer service standards,” said Mr MacCarthy,
“In 2025 we’re embarking on a number of capital projects to grow and improve the airport infrastructure and cater for the planned growth we have in the year ahead and the years following. We want to thank our loyal customer base, both in the south of Ireland, the UK and continental Europe for the continuing and growing use of Cork Airport.”
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