8 December 2017
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Cork Airport has welcomed an increase of 4% in passenger numbers during November, compared to the same month last year. The figure is representative of 152,000 passengers flying into or out of Cork Airport last month compared to 146,000 in November 2016, an increase of 6,000 additional passengers using the Gateway to the South of Ireland as their airport of choice for European and Transatlantic travel.
November’s results are particularly significant as they come on the back of recently released figures from the CSO. These cite a decline in British visitors (-6.1%) and an increase in North American visitors (+16.4%) coming to Ireland between January and October of this year.
Cork Airport’s Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy said: “November’s increase in passenger numbers at Cork Airport is a positive indicator of our firm objective to increase routes and connectivity from Ireland’s second biggest international airport. This also Brexit-proofs our business by diversifying into new markets in Europe and North America ahead of uncertain times for our nearest source market in the UK”.
“Cork Airport’s passenger numbers have consistently grown this year by 4% and not by coincidence. With the launch of Cork’s first year-round transatlantic route this summer with Norwegian as well as significant European additions with new Airline partners in Swiss, Iberia Express and Volotea, Cork Airport is actively pursuing growth. Our partnership approach with key business and tourism stakeholders to promote and enhance international connectivity and the popularity of Cork as a Gateway to both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East is a long-term strategy”, he added.
Recent airline announcements place Cork Airport in a strong position to navigate a changing and uncertain market as well as facilitate continued growth in 2018. Iberia Express will expand its Madrid route by 5% and Volotea plans to double its Cork to Verona route. Likewise, Aer Lingus Regional intends to increase frequency across key UK routes and expand the capacity of its Newquay route for Summer 2018.
Since the launch of Norwegian’s direct Transatlantic route from Cork to Boston Providence on 1st July 2017, over 14,000 passengers have used the year-round service.
Year to date, Cork Airport has welcomed 2.16 million passengers and is forecasted to reach over 2.3 million by year end.
