Cork Airport Plan Begins – €200m Investment
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Cork Airport to Begin €200 million Upgrade, Boosting Jobs and Tourism
Cork Airport will commence a significant upgrade this month as part of a €200 million investment by DAA (formerly the Dublin Airport Authority). The project aims to enhance facilities, increase capacity, and support economic growth in the southern region of Ireland.
The investment, announced initially in May by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, encompasses a wide range of improvements. These include a larger duty-free shop, upgraded executive lounge facilities, new airbridges, an extension to the long-term car park, new boarding gates, additional pier and aircraft parking stands, enhancements to airside equipment, a new staff and goods security screening area, an oversized baggage screening unit, and a 1.7Mw solar farm constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park.
PJ Hegarty, a construction company with a long history in Cork, has been awarded the contract. Maurice Killeen, southern region operations director at PJ Hegarty, expressed the company’s delight, noting the project’s importance as it coincides with their 100-year anniversary in 2025. Killeen stated the company is committed to delivering the project on time and within budget, mirroring their prosperous runway reconstruction in 2021, while minimizing disruption.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
DAA anticipates the investment will generate significant economic benefits for the south of Ireland,notably in terms of job creation and tourism. While specific job numbers haven’t been released,infrastructure projects of this scale typically create both direct construction jobs and indirect employment in supporting industries. The improved airport facilities are expected to attract more airlines and passengers, further stimulating the regional economy.
Cork Airport plays a crucial role in connecting the south of Ireland to international destinations. According to Cork Airport’s own economic impact report (2019), the airport supports over 2,400 jobs and contributes €189 million to the Irish economy annually. this investment is projected to considerably increase those figures.
| Metric | 2019 (Pre-Pandemic) | Projected Impact (Post-Upgrade) |
|---|---|---|
| jobs Supported | 2,400+ | To be steadfast (expected increase) |
| Annual Economic Contribution | €189 million | To be determined (expected increase) |
| Passenger Numbers | 2.6 million | Targeting growth beyond pre-pandemic levels |
Project Timeline and Phased Approach
Work is scheduled to begin this month, with further phases of the project to be announced over the next eight weeks. This phased approach is designed to minimize disruption to airport operations and passengers. The completion date for the entire project has not yet been specified, but DAA aims to have key elements in place to accommodate increased passenger traffic in the coming years.
The timing of the investment is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with the preparations for Cork’s centenary celebrations in 202