Cork Airport makes history with busiest year yet
Cork Airport took off in 2025
Cork Airport recorded the busiest year in its history in 2025, seeing 3.46 million passengers travel to and from the facility.
According to a spokesperson for the airport, passenger traffic increased by 13% on 2024, marking the third consecutive year of double-digit growth at Cork Airport, and a 67% rise in passenger traffic in the decade since 2015.
Demand at the facility in 2025 was mainly driven by traffic to and from UK provincial cities, as well as popular European market destinations.
Significant growth was seen on several short-haul routes from Cork, including Bristol, up 37%, Liverpool, up 31%, and Manchester, up 27%.
Passenger traffic also increased by 61% to and from Germany, by 29% to and from Belgium and by 27% to and from Switzerland, as well as by 32% to and from Spain and 20% to and from Portugal.
Cork Airport additionally introduced several new routes last year, adding to the increased passenger figures, which include services to Bilbao, Bordeaux, Izmir, Prague, and Geneva.
As part of Cork Airport’s 2026 summer schedule, a further three new routes to Nice, Santiago de Compostela and Antalya will be introduced.
Managing director of Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy, said the team is “delighted with the growth and success delivered in 2025".
“In 2026, with the support of daa Group, we will be expanding our facilities and delivering on our capital development programme while delivering the same exceptional service our passengers love, and we look forward to another tremendous year in Cork Airport’s history,” said Mr MacCarthy.
An investment of €200 million was also allocated to infrastructure developments at Cork Airport in 2025, of which some are currently underway and on track for completion in December of this year.
Ongoing works include the construction of a new mezzanine floor and passenger security screening area, which the airport spokesperson said “is progressing on-time and on-budget".
“Once completed, passengers can look forward to a brighter, more expansive security screening area complete with a fast-track lane and an even better security experience,” the spokesperson said.
Later this year, works will commence on extending car parking at Cork Airport, with an injection of 700 new long-term spaces and the construction of Ireland’s largest solar carport over the existing Holiday Blue long-term car park.
The new carport will generate up to 20% of the airport’s future electricity needs.
Completed infrastructure developments at the facility include the upgrade of a new oversized baggage facility and a newly redeveloped staff and goods screening area, which were finalised at the end of 2025.
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