Naughton defends Cork Airport autumn closure for runway works

The airport will close on September 13 for 24/7 works until the new runway is completed by November 22

The main runway at Cork Airport, the second-busiest in the country that is set for significant resurfacing work.

A government minister has defended Cork Airport’s 10-week closure for its main runway rebuild as the €40m construction contract was awarded today.

Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, sought the department’s approval last November of some €10m in funding towards the work — a fast-tracked project which was originally earmarked for 2022 — and which was scheduled to take nine months to complete.