€200 million investment in Cork Airport 'will create 10,000 jobs' with plans to demolish old terminal

Cork Airport has announced an investment of €200 million, which will see the creation of a further 10,000 jobs within the region, and the demolition of the old terminal building to facilitate further expansion of the facility.

The investment, officially launched today by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, comes as part of the airport’s Capital Development Plan, which will see 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; and the demolition of the old terminal and old control tower for the construction of a new pier with more boarding gates and aircraft parking stands.

“This is a very significant day – Cork Airport has become a critical component of our national transport infrastructure and as Ireland’s fastest growing airport, its continued development is paramount,” said Mr Martin.

“The ambition is to go to four million passengers by 2030, and to five million passengers by 2037.

“Cork [Airport] has always been known as the friendliest airport in the country, and the economic impact of the airport is enormous.

“I have no doubt that the benefits of this plan will only bring further growth to what is already a thriving [facility].” 

Managing director at Cork Airport Niall MacCarthy said that the expansion of Cork Airport will enable the facility to cater to more than five million passengers in the coming years, marking the investment as a “vote of confidence” for the Southern region.

“We are thrilled to announce a €200 million investment into Cork Airport, [which will] be spent over the next seven to eight years on 10 projects that we need to enable us to serve five million passengers and beyond,” said Mr MacCarthy.

“The first of these projects will be starting in the next few months.

“What we have announced is a significant capital infrastructure plan not just for Cork Airport but for the entire South of Ireland - it’s a vote of confidence in our airport and in this region."

CEO of the daa, Kenny Jacobs said: “This is a huge day for Cork Airport, this is the biggest [investment] in 25 years.

“We are really proud, and I speak for the daa board when I say this, this is us backing Cork.

“We want to give Cork the best airport it could ever have.

“When we build and invest the €200 million, we will create 10,000 new jobs and the economic value contribution will increase to €2.5 billion.”

The Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD said that the announcement underscores both the daa’s and the government’s commitment to improving transport offerings across Cork.

“The Capital Development Plan clearly shows [the] 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 plan.”

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.”