Exploring Cork Airport's Diverse Destinations: Unlocking Travel Options

Cork Airport is the second-largest international airport in Ireland, located 6.5km south of Cork City centre. In 2023, it was possible to fly to 44 destinations with 7 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. These destinations include London, Amsterdam, Bristol, Glasgow, Lanzarote, and Malaga. The airport has continued to expand since its opening in 1961, with new destinations and services being added over time.

Cork Airport's busiest routes

Cork Airport is the second-largest airport in Ireland and the second busiest in the country in terms of passenger numbers. In 2019, the airport handled 2.6 million passengers. Cork Airport offers flights to 44 destinations with 7 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic.

The busiest route from Cork Airport is to London Heathrow, with an average of 28 flights departing every week, making up 13% of all weekly departures. Other busy routes include those to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and London Stansted, with 99 and 88 flights scheduled per month, respectively.

The second-largest operator from Cork Airport is Aer Lingus, which, in the 1960s, began operating flights to London Heathrow, Manchester, and Bristol. Ryanair, the largest airline at Cork Airport, offers flights to a variety of destinations, including Bristol, Edinburgh, and Manchester.

Airlines operating from Cork Airport

Cork Airport is the second-largest international airport in Ireland. It is located 6.5km south of Cork City centre and is the state's second-busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers. The airport is responsible for the infrastructure that enables airlines and handling agents to operate. Cork Airport has several shopping and eating facilities, a business lounge, eight departure gates, and Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

Several airlines operate regularly scheduled and chartered flights from Cork Airport. These include Aer Lingus, Cambrian Airways, Ryanair, Manx2, and Aer Arann. Aer Lingus, for example, has been operating flights to London Heathrow, Manchester, and Bristol since 1969. Cambrian Airways, on the other hand, was one of the first airlines to operate from Cork Airport, conducting proving flights just before its opening in 1961. Ryanair established its second Irish base at Cork Airport in 2005, while Manx2 operated scheduled flights to Cork from Belfast in 2011.

In addition to these airlines, Cork Airport has also been served by other carriers over the years. For instance, in the 1980s, Aer Lingus' commuter division started a domestic service to Dublin Airport. More recently, in 2017, Norwegian Air Shuttle launched Cork's first transatlantic flight to Providence in the United States.

Cork Airport's destinations

Cork Airport, located 6.5 km from Cork City centre in an area known as Farmers Cross, is the second-largest international airport in Ireland. It is also the second busiest airport in the state in terms of passenger numbers. Cork Airport offers flights to a variety of destinations across Europe and beyond.

As of 2024, there are 44 destinations that can be reached from Cork Airport with 7 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. The most frequently departed route is to London Heathrow, with an average of 28 flights every week. Other popular destinations include Amsterdam, Bristol, Glasgow, Lanzarote, Málaga, and Tenerife.

In addition to these regular destinations, Cork Airport also offers seasonal flights to various locations. These include Bilbao, Bordeaux, Dubrovnik, and Salzburg. The airport also sees charter flights to destinations such as Salzburg and Lyon.

The number of destinations served by Cork Airport has varied over the years, with an average annual increase of 14.8% in passenger numbers between 1998 and 2008. The airport has continued to expand and develop, attracting more airlines and destinations. Cork Airport is also responsible for the infrastructure that enables airlines and handling agents to operate efficiently.

Cork Airport provides a range of passenger facilities, including shopping and eating options, a business lounge, and Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. The airport is easily accessible by road and is connected to the city centre via the N27 and N40.

Cork Airport's history

Cork Airport (Irish: Aerfort Chorcaí) is the second-largest international airport in Ireland, after Dublin Airport. It is located 6.5km (4 miles) south of Cork City centre, in an area known as Farmers Cross.

The history of Cork Airport dates back to 1957 when the Government of Ireland agreed to the construction of an airport in Cork. After considering various potential sites, Ballygarvan was chosen as the ideal location. Tenders were invited for the construction project in 1959, with an estimated cost of £1 million. Cork Airport officially opened on 16 October 1961, following proving flights by Aer Lingus and Cambrian Airways in the days prior. In its first year of operation, the airport handled 10,172 passengers, a number close to the average daily passenger number in 2007.

Throughout the 1960s, Cork Airport expanded rapidly with the introduction of more advanced aircraft and an increasing number of destinations. A notable milestone was the arrival of the first jet, a British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet, on 29 March 1964. By 1969, Aer Lingus was operating flights to London Heathrow, Manchester, and Bristol.

The 1970s saw further developments, with Aer Rianta, the state airports authority, initiating a passenger terminal study in 1975 to enhance the terminal facilities. As a result, new departure and arrival halls, check-in areas, and other improvements were introduced over the next few years, opening in 1978.

The 1980s witnessed continued progress, with an extension of the main apron and the introduction of new services to London Gatwick. Aer Lingus also commenced a domestic service to Dublin Airport. In 1987, Ryanair commenced its services at Cork Airport, marking another significant development.

The 1990s brought further expansion, with the completion of Phase II of the terminal expansion in 1991 and Phase III in 1992, culminating in the completion of the Terminal Expansion and Development Plan in 1994.

In the 2000s, Cork Airport continued to flourish, with the opening of a Great Southern Hotel on the airport grounds in 2001 and the establishment of new routes by the regional airline Aer Arann. Ryanair further strengthened its presence by opening its second Irish base at Cork in 2005, and a new terminal, designed by HOK and Jacobs Engineering Group, opened in 2006.

Cork Airport has continued to evolve and adapt, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011 and consistently ranking highly in customer satisfaction surveys. It has also been recognised for its sustainability efforts and its successful campaign to secure a direct transatlantic route.

Cork Airport's facilities

Cork Airport is the second-largest airport in Ireland, located 6.5km south of Cork City centre. It is also the second busiest airport in the state in terms of passenger numbers. The airport has a total of eight departure gates, two of which have an airbridge. Cork Airport offers flights to 44 destinations with seven airlines, including Ryanair, Aer Lingus, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Edelweiss Air, and more.

The airport has a range of facilities to accommodate travellers. The main terminal features several shops and eateries, both before and after the security screening area. Additionally, there is a bureau de change kiosk, an ATM, and a business lounge operated by Swissport. Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal for passengers' convenience.

For those seeking accommodation, there are two hotels located adjacent to the passenger terminal: the Cork International Hotel and the Cork Airport Hotel. The airport is easily accessible via road, connected to the city centre by the N27 and N40. It is also served by Bus Éireann, with routes 225 and 226 connecting the airport to Kent Rail Station and Kinsale. Taxi services are also available, with a taxi rank situated outside the arrivals entrance.

Cork Airport is committed to improving its facilities and has undergone various expansion and development plans over the years. In 2013, the airport completed a Master Plan for its overall development until 2023, which included proposals for extending the main terminal and relocating the cargo area. The airport also continuously strives for sustainability and successfully met its public sector obligation of a 33% reduction in energy costs six years ahead of its 2020 target.

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