Cork Airport to demolish old terminal and build new solar farm as part of €200m plan
Cork Airport’s 20-year-old terminal building is in line for major upgrades starting this summer, with its old terminal and control tower slated for demolition in a few years, under an ambitious €200m capital investment programme announced on Friday.The plan represents the most significant capital investment in the airport in nearly a quarter of a century, and will help it grow from a forecasted 3.4m passengers this year to five million in a few years, the Daa said.Millions will be invested in its 2006-built terminal to enhance passenger facilities, including the construction from August of a new mezzanine floor over the arrivals area, which should be ready by late 2026. The new floor will accommodate;
a new security screening area with technology that will eliminate the need to remove liquids, gels, pastes and large electronic items from passengers’ cabin baggage, a fast lane, and a new oversized baggage security facility;
and a new 30% larger duty-free shop, extending into what is now the existing passenger security screening area. It's in design and is likely to be built in phases between December 2026 and August 2027.
The plan also includes a 630-space extension to the airport’s long-term car park, due for completion by July 2026, with provision being made for the extension of the existing Express Red car park too, but the Daa said it plans to continue working with transport providers to secure better bus connectivity with the airport.Millions will be invested in its 2006-built terminal to enhance passenger facilities, including the construction from August of a new mezzanine floor over the arrivals area.Two new boarding gates are planned to the northern side of the terminal, alongside the conversion of an existing cargo hangar.A 1.7Mw solar farm is also planned. It will be built on steel frames erected canopy-style over the parking spaces in the existing ‘holiday blue’ car park to provide for over 20% of the airport’s electricity needs, with construction due to start next January and finish by August.There are also plans for better executive lounge facilities and improved staff screening facilities.The programme will conclude with the demolition and replacement of the old terminal and old control tower with a new pier, extending from the southern end of the terminal, with additional boarding gates, new food and beverage options, providing more “nose-in” aircraft parking stands.Preliminary design work won’t start for another year or so, with an expected delivery date of 2032-2034 but it could be done sooner if passenger numbers soar.The details emerged as Taoiseach Micheál Martin launched the plan alongside Daa group CEO, Kenny Jacobs, Cork Airport managing director, Niall MacCarthy, members of the Daa board, the Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, the mayor of the county of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, the chief executives of the city and county councils, Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer, and other invited guests.Mr Martin described it as a momentous day for the airport.“Cork Airport has become a critical component of our national transport infrastructure and as Ireland’s fastest growing airport, its continued development is paramount,” he said.Mr Jacob said the population in the southern region is set to surge over the next decade and the capital investment will help make the airport a crucial part of the region's infrastructure.Mr MacCarthy described the airport’s combination of friendly, easy, no-stress travel with short walking distances from car parks to gate as a “magic formula for passenger satisfaction”.“As we continue to grow, we are planning pro-actively now for the next six to ten years,” he said. “What we have announced today is a significant capital infrastructure plan not just for Cork Airport but for the entire South of Ireland region and our team will be proud to lead its delivery.” Cork Airport has grown its passenger base by over 50% in the last decade, and contributes over €1bn to the Irish economy, directly and indirectly employing over 12,000 people.Last year, it handled 3.1m passengers, up 10% on 2023, and serves over 50 routes to the UK and continental Europe.
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