Cork Airport crowned best regional airport in Europe
The fastest-growing airport in Ireland was named the best airport in Europe that serves under five million passengers at the Airport Council International (ACI) Europe Best Airport Awards.
It previously won the award in the 2017 and 2019, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing the accolade as a 'prestigious honour'.
'This recognition is thoroughly deserved. The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals,' said ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec.
"Their success is clearly reflected in increased air connectivity and passenger numbers which means a growing contribution from the airport to the regional economy, tourism and competitiveness."
The airport recently added four new routes to Corfu, Izmir, Bilbao and Bordeaux, with passenger numbers on track to reach beyond 3.4 million passengers this year.
It welcomed 3.2 million passengers last year, a 10pc growth year-on-year.
A €200 million investment by the DAA Group in the development of infrastructure at the airport plans to include a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, a larger duty-free shop, a bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier.
Cork Airport's Managing Director Niall MacCarthy said the award is 'a fantastic endorsement of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is—from our frontline teams to those behind-the-scenes, and everyone in between'.
"It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships we've built with all our stakeholders, and the loyalty of our passengers who continue to choose Cork Airport. We're immensely proud to win this award for the third time and we're committed to continuing to grow our contribution to the south of Ireland.'
Meanwhile, Kenny Jacobs, the CEO of DAA, said the award is 'a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground who deliver for passengers every single day'.
"This award's not just for the airport - it's for Cork, for Munster, and for Ireland. We have big plans for Cork, and this is a great boost.'
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Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Cork Airport named best in Europe for the third time
The airport won the 'under 5 million passengers' category, and it marked the third time that Ireland's fastest growing airport won the accolade. It was previously awarded the honour in 2017 and 2019. The award celebrates and acknowledges Cork Airport's continued excellence in passenger experience, operational efficiency, route development, sustainability and innovation. Olivier Jankovec, ACI europe director general, said the airport thoroughly deserved the recognition. 'The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals,' he said. Commenting, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it is clear the airport is going from 'strength to strength.' 'It is clear that Cork Airport is going from strength-to-strength every year and this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of Niall MacCarthy and all his team there,' Mr Martin said. 'I know there are plans to further develop the airport and I look forward to seeing Cork Airport continue to flourish as Ireland's fastest growing airport.' In 2024, Cork Airport welcomed 3.2 million passengers representing 10% growth compared to 2023 figures. This year, the airport is expected to see 3.4 million passengers. ADVERTISEMENT Niall MacCarthy, Cork Airport's managing director, said the ACI award is a 'fantastic endorsement' of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is. 'It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships we've built with all our stakeholders, and the loyalty of our passengers who continue to choose Cork Airport,' Mr MacCarthy said. 'We're immensely proud to win this award for the third time and we're committed to continuing to grow our contribution to the south of Ireland.' In May this year, a €200 million investment by daa Group in the development of Cork Airport was announced. The Capital Development Plan includes a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, larger duty-free shop, bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier – all designed to facilitate growth up to and beyond 5 million passengers. Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, said his organisation was thrilled to see Cork Airport named Europe's best regional airport again. "It's a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground who deliver for passengers every single day,' he said. 'This award's not just for the airport - it's for Cork, for Munster, and for Ireland. We have big plans for Cork, and this is a great boost.'
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Cork Airport crowned best regional airport in Europe
The fastest-growing airport in Ireland was named the best airport in Europe that serves under five million passengers at the Airport Council International (ACI) Europe Best Airport Awards. It previously won the award in the 2017 and 2019, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing the accolade as a 'prestigious honour'. 'This recognition is thoroughly deserved. The airport team has worked tirelessly to enhance operational efficiency, offer exceptional passenger experience, and deliver on ambitious environmental and sustainability goals,' said ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec. "Their success is clearly reflected in increased air connectivity and passenger numbers which means a growing contribution from the airport to the regional economy, tourism and competitiveness." The airport recently added four new routes to Corfu, Izmir, Bilbao and Bordeaux, with passenger numbers on track to reach beyond 3.4 million passengers this year. It welcomed 3.2 million passengers last year, a 10pc growth year-on-year. A €200 million investment by the DAA Group in the development of infrastructure at the airport plans to include a new mezzanine floor for an expanded security area, a larger duty-free shop, a bigger executive lounge, additional car park spaces, more boarding gates, new aircraft stands, and a new pier. Cork Airport's Managing Director Niall MacCarthy said the award is 'a fantastic endorsement of the incredible people who make Cork Airport what it is—from our frontline teams to those behind-the-scenes, and everyone in between'. "It's also a reflection of the strong partnerships we've built with all our stakeholders, and the loyalty of our passengers who continue to choose Cork Airport. We're immensely proud to win this award for the third time and we're committed to continuing to grow our contribution to the south of Ireland.' Meanwhile, Kenny Jacobs, the CEO of DAA, said the award is 'a huge recognition of the brilliant team on the ground who deliver for passengers every single day'. "This award's not just for the airport - it's for Cork, for Munster, and for Ireland. We have big plans for Cork, and this is a great boost.'
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Irish Times
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