Cork Airport marks 20th anniversary of ‘new’ terminal opening

Cork Airport has celebrated the milestone 20th anniversary of the opening of what is still colloquially referred to as its “new terminal” as it looks ahead to the new mezzanine floor and passenger security screening area set to be unveiled later this year.

Shortly after 7.30am on August 1, 2006, the first passengers to use Cork Airport’s new terminal building arrived on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted.

The terminal has welcomed more than 47m passengers to date.

Staff from across the airport campus gathered earlier this week to mark the milestone, and to celebrate another — the two millionth passenger of 2026.

This year, Cork Airport started work on what has been described as its most ambitious capital development programme since the construction of the terminal building 20 years ago.

The airport said that, later this year, passengers can look forward to a “major enhancement” of the airport facilities, with the opening of the new mezzanine floor and passenger security screening area.

International gateway

In the coming years, other developments such as the development of additional boarding gates and the construction of a new pier will further enhance the airport facilities as the international gateway is positioned for growth to 5m passengers and beyond.

Over the busy August bank holiday week-end, as the airport welcomed 72,000 arriving and departing passengers, the airport surpassed the 2m passenger mark of 2026.

Marking the two recent milestones, Niall MacCarthy, managing director at Cork Airport, said staff are “very proud” of the terminal, which he said is as “easy, clean, and well-maintained as the day it was opened”.

“Ultimately, buildings are buildings, and they don’t function without excellent staff providing friendly, efficient services every day.

“I’m really proud to say that the experience at Cork Airport is even better, now than it was 20 years ago and will get better again as we open our new mezzanine floor and other enhancements in the months ahead.”