2025 marked a milestone year for Cork Airport, which recorded the busiest 12 months in its 64-year history as passenger numbers reached an all-time high.
Cork Airport Managing Director , Niall MacCarthy said “The team at Cork Airport is delighted with the growth and success delivered in 2025. Our industry representative body recognised Cork Airport as Europe’s best regional airport and passengers who used us for the first time complimented us on the ease and friendliness of the airport experience. In 2026, with the support of daa Group, we will be expanding our facilities and delivering on our capital development programme while delivering the same exceptional service our passengers love, and we look forward to another tremendous year in Cork Airport’s history.”
Cork handled a total of 3.46 million passengers in 2025, representing growth of 13 per cent compared with 2024. The result extends Cork Airport’s run of strong performance, delivering a third consecutive year of double-digit growth and reinforcing its position as the busiest airport in the south of Ireland. Over the past decade, passenger traffic at Cork Airport has increased by 67 per cent, underlining the sustained recovery and expansion of demand in the region.
European markets also recorded significant gains. Passenger traffic between Cork and Germany rose by 61 per cent, while services to and from Belgium and Switzerland increased by 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively. Outbound leisure demand remained resilient, with passenger numbers on routes to Spain up 32 per cent and traffic to Portugal increasing by 20 per cent.
International traffic remained the key driver of growth in 2025, with robust demand across both short-haul business and leisure markets. Routes to the UK continued to perform strongly, with notable increases on services to Bristol, up 37 per cent, Liverpool, up 31 per cent, and Manchester, up 27 per cent year on year.
Image Credit: Cork Airport
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