5 September 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
- Cork Airport growth of +7.2% versus August last year makes it the fastest growing State airport last month
- New routes and extra capacity doing well and delivering more visitors to South of Ireland
- ·Strong tourism season with new USA and Swiss markets helping diversification pre-Brexit
- Cork Airport working on new business strategy for 2018 – 2021 to deliver further growth and continue its successful business turnaround
Cork Airport has welcomed a 7.2 per cent increase in passenger numbers in August compared to the same month last year, through Ireland’s newest transatlantic airport. This growth surpassed that at Dublin Airport which experienced growth of 6% in the month.
Further growth in August reflects a very successful and historic summer season for Cork Airport. The advent of year-round transatlantic flights with Norwegian to Boston Providence coupled with four other new UK and European routes have contributed to strong growth at Ireland’s second busiest and best connected international airport.
Additional capacity and frequency of services on existing routes, allied to a lengthier Summer schedule to popular UK and European destinations has fuelled buoyant passenger demand. In addition, Cork Airport’s ease of access and award-winning customer service is being cited as key factors contributing to drawing increased inbound and outbound passengers.
Cork Airport’s Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy said: “We are delighted to be the Republic of Ireland’s fastest growing state airport in passenger number terms in the key Summer month of August. We are hearing from our partners in tourism that our new routes are delivering lots of new high spending visitors, not just to Cork, but throughout the region”.
“Passengers in Munster are finding that using Cork Airport for outbound trips is just more convenient than our capital city airport up the road. With cheaper parking, shorter walking distances, less road traffic and our renowned friendly service, more and more Munster and South Leinster people are using Cork Airport” he added.
Cork Airport’s summer season has been particularly strong since new routes commenced last May and will continue through to the end of October when the winter schedule starts. Year to date passenger numbers have grown by 47,500 to 1.6 million compared to the same period last year and will result in further growth of 4% this year building of the 8% achieved in 2016.
