Cork Airport Sets New November Passenger Record with Unprecedented Growth
Cork Airport achieved impressive growth in November, setting a new passenger record with a 7% increase compared to the previous year. A total of 214,790 passengers utilized the airport during this month.
Record-Breaking November Passenger Numbers
The busiest day for Cork Airport was Sunday, November 2. In total, the airport facilitated 1,653 flight departures, serving popular destinations including:
- London Heathrow
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Amsterdam
- Lanzarote
Operational Efficiency and Performance
Cork Airport maintained high operational efficiency. Security wait times showed remarkable performance, with 99.1% of passengers processed in under 15 minutes and 100% within 20 minutes. In comparison, Dublin Airport reported 96.5% and 99% for these categories, respectively. Additionally, on-time departures were recorded at 80.9%, surpassing Dublin’s 77.9%.
The average baggage return time at Cork Airport was notably fast, at just 10 minutes, compared to 22 minutes at Dublin Airport.
Enhanced Services and New Routes
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines expanded its service, increasing flights to Amsterdam Schiphol from two to three daily. Similarly, Air France transitioned its Paris Charles de Gaulle service from seasonal to year-round availability. Additionally, Aer Lingus launched a new twice-weekly route to Prague in late October, which has performed strongly.
Commentary from DAA Leadership
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of DAA, highlighted the ongoing demand for flights, emphasizing that this trend supports the new national tourism strategy. This strategy aims to attract a 15% increase in inbound visitors by 2031, with both Cork and Dublin airports playing crucial roles.
Jacobs noted the success in securing new routes, underscoring the increased services to major European hubs like Amsterdam and Paris.
Ongoing Enhancements at Cork Airport
Development projects at Cork Airport are advancing, including the construction of a new mezzanine floor. This area will house a modern passenger security space, aiming to improve the travel experience significantly.
