• Cork Airport is Ireland’s fastest-growing airport and will serve 3.4 million passengers this year, having grown its passenger base by over 50% in the last decade.
• As an essential piece of national transport infrastructure, Cork Airport contributes over €1 billion to the Irish economy, directly and indirectly employing over 12,000 people and is a key enabler of trade, commerce and tourism throughout the South of Ireland. 
• Today’s launch of the Capital Development Plan charts the course for Cork Airport’s future growth to beyond 5 million passengers per annum into the years ahead.
• An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin launched the Capital Development Plan today in the company of daa Group CEO, Kenny Jacobs; Cork Airport Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy; members of the daa Board; Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle; Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll; chief executives of Cork City and Cork County councils; Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD, local Oireachtas members and political representatives; members of the wider Cork business community; airport stakeholders and other invited guests. 
• Significant investment will be made in passenger facilities, including a new mezzanine floor in the terminal; new security screening area; new and larger duty-free shop; enhanced executive lounge facilities; installation of new airbridges; long-term car park extension; new boarding gates; airside equipment enhancements (including green energy airside ground power units) and a 1.7Mw solar farm over the existing Holiday Blue car park. 
• The ambitious programme will conclude with the demolition and replacement of the old terminal and old control tower with a new pier and additional aircraft parking stands to significantly increase overall airside capacity.

Cork Airport — May 2, 2025 — 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 today. 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: 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.”