Cork Airport Hits Record 3.46 Million Passengers Amid €200M Upgrade

January 6, 2026 at 01:48 PM•3 min read

Cork Airport, Ireland's second-largest airport, achieved its busiest year ever in 2025, serving 3.46 million passengers while advancing a major €200m capital development program.

Key Points

13.46 million passengers in 2025 set a new record for Cork Airport, up 13% year-over-year.
2Traffic surged on UK routes (Bristol +37%, Liverpool +31%) and European markets (Germany +61%).
3A €200 million capital development plan is underway to handle future growth beyond 5 million passengers.
4Key infrastructure projects include a new security screening area and Ireland's largest solar carport.

Cork Airport recorded its busiest year in history in 2025, serving 3.46 million passengers. This milestone marks a 13% increase in overall passenger traffic compared to 2024. The airport has now seen three consecutive years of double-digit growth.

Managing Director Niall MacCarthy expressed delight with the success delivered in 2025. He noted the team is focused on expanding facilities in 2026. This growth highlights the strong recovery in regional air travel demand.

Driving the Passenger Growth

Increased demand across key international markets fueled the record numbers. Traffic between Cork and the UK saw particularly strong growth. Routes to UK provincial cities like Bristol rose by 37%. Liverpool traffic was up 31%, and Manchester saw a 27% increase.

European markets also contributed significantly to the surge. Passenger traffic to and from Germany jumped by 61%. Belgium and Switzerland routes grew by 29% and 27%, respectively. Leisure travel to Spain and Portugal also increased by 32% and 20%.

New Routes Bolster Connectivity

The Cork Airport passenger traffic was bolstered by several new routes in 2025. Aer Lingus launched services to Bilbao, Bordeaux, Prague, and Geneva. For the 2026 summer schedule, Aer Lingus new routes will include Nice in France and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. SunExpress will also add a new service to Antalya in Turkey. This continued expansion is a positive sign for regional airport growth.

Future-Proofing Infrastructure

To support this busiest year ever and future demand, the airport is undergoing a major Cork Airport development. A substantial €200 million capital development plan was launched in May 2025. This plan aims to future-proof the facility for growth beyond 5 million passengers.

Work on a new mezzanine floor and a new passenger security screening area is progressing. This project is expected to be completed on time by December 2026. The upgrade will offer a brighter, more expansive security area. It will also feature a dedicated fast-track lane for an improved experience.

Sustainability and Capacity

Further infrastructure projects are scheduled for 2026. Works will begin on extending car parking capacity with 700 new long-term spaces. A key environmental project is the construction of Ireland's largest solar carport. This installation will be built over the existing Holiday Blue car park. It is projected to generate up to 20% of the airport's future electricity needs. The investment aligns with broader industry goals for sustainability, as promoted by organizations like IATA. The focus on efficient operations is also a core tenet of modern regulatory bodies like EASA. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

The investment and growth signal strong economic confidence in the region. The airport plays a vital role in the South of Ireland economy. Its continued development is critical for regional connectivity and tourism.