Cork Airport on track for busiest ever year as passenger numbers up 10% in August

Dublin Airport exceeded 130,000 passengers in a day for first time ever

Management and staff at Cork Airport. Cork Airport is on course for its busiest year with 3.4m passengers through the airport by year end after passenger figures were up 10% last month.

Cork Airport is on course for its busiest ever year with 3.4m passengers predicted by year end after passenger figures jumped 10% last month.

Some 376,709 passengers were through the gates of Cork during August. In the year-to-date, passenger numbers are up by 15% compared with 2024. A total of 1.1m passengers flew to and from Cork Airport across the peak holiday months - June, July, and August.

The airport has seen an 8% increase in passengers from London and a 12% increase in passengers arriving on UK provincial routes (outside London). Heathrow and Stansted are the two busiest destinations from Cork, followed by Faro, Malaga, and Manchester. 

“Having had the pleasure of travelling to and from Cork Airport on my own summer holidays this year, it’s easy to see why Cork is smashing all records and is now on course for its busiest year ever," said DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs.

The airport development plan will see €200m invested in Cork over the coming years. “Cork Airport is on the cusp of one of the most exciting periods in its history from a capital development and infrastructure perspective as works on the new mezzanine floor, which will be home to the airport’s new security screening area, are due to commence imminently," said Mr Jacobs.

Meanwhile Dublin Airport welcomed 3,784,759 passengers last month, up 4% on August 2024. Heathrow was the busiest destination, followed by Amsterdam, Manchester, Malaga, and Stansted.

Sunday August 10 was the first day ever to exceed 130,000 passengers in the airport’s 85-year history.

"Operationally, Dublin Airport is in great shape and the work we're doing is going to make it even better for passengers. However, addressing the passenger cap remains a key concern and we are encouraged by the Minister for Transport's commitment to removing it," said Mr Jacobs.

Work is ongoing in Dublin on a doubling in size of the Terminal 1 Lounge, a new and improved Fast Track facility in T1, while work has started airside in Terminal 2 on the fit-out of a new Irish bar, with further renovations of lounges commencing in October.