Airlines to be encouraged to move seat capacity from Dublin to Cork airport

Airlines are to be encouraged to move routes and traffic from Dublin to Cork airport, the daa CEO has revealed.

New incentives will be offered to airlines who are capped from growing at Dublin, including lower charges in Cork airport.

The revelation was made at the launch of Cork airport’s Economic Impact Study.

It revealed that Cork Airport contributed €1.045 billion to the Irish economy and supported more than 12,650 job in 2023.

Launched today by Minister of State for Transport James Lawless TD, Ireland’s EU Commissioner Designate Michael McGrath TD and Tourism Ireland’s Chief Executive Alice Mansergh, the analysis by InterVISTAS Consulting shows that Cork Airport plays a critical role in supporting jobs across the south of Ireland.

Jobs

Day-to-day operational activities at Cork Airport directly supported 2,330 jobs in companies across the airport campus including airlines, air traffic control, ground handlers, airport security, immigration, customs, and airport retailers in 2023.

An additional 10,320 jobs stemmed from the indirect, induced, and catalytic impacts of the airport’s operations.

The analysis also included examination of the connectivity of Cork Airport.

The 2023 IATA Connectivity Index, which measures the international access from an airport to the global economy, shows that Cork Airport is the best-connected airport in the Republic of Ireland outside of Dublin.

Move seat capacity

To promote enhanced connectivity and traffic growth at Cork Airport, Cork Airport announced today that airlines will be encouraged to move seat capacity to Cork from Dublin by way of discounts on airport charges at Cork Airport.

Speaking at the launch of the study, Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa said: “Cork is a really great airport and daa is committed to supporting its growth to five million passengers a year within the next decade, while maintaining the warm Cork welcome and customer service our passengers know and love Cork for.

“Cork Airport will continue to expand its route network, including offering new incentives to encourage airlines that are capped from growing at Dublin to take advantage of Cork Airport’s great facilities.

“Good connectivity throughout the island is critical to attracting tourists and investment to Ireland and there is a real danger of losing out to other countries while the Dublin cap remains in place.” He explained, “Airlines that move routes and traffic from Dublin to Cork Airport will be offered lower charges at Cork Airport to encourage airlines to keep those routes in Ireland and to support jobs and connectivity.”

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport added, “It is an exciting time at Cork Airport.

“We will be expanding our facilities in the next number of years to provide more airside and terminal facilities to support strong growth and jobs.

“Cork Airport is the best performing commercial semi-state body in Ireland for energy reduction for two years running, and the next step on our journey is to seek planning for an airport solar farm, to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable development.” 

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland said that overseas tourism to Cork city and county alone brings in excess of €600 million to the region per annum.

She explained: 

“Alongside our programme of advertising and publicity, partnerships play an important role as we seek to grow overseas tourism revenue to Ireland by +5.6% on average each year to 2030.”

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless said: “As an island nation, our airport network is critical to our connectivity and as Ireland’s second largest international airport, Cork is an essential part of that infrastructure.

“The significant funding to Cork Airport provided by government in recent years has assisted in future proofing the airport’s infrastructure and will enable the airport to realise its ambitious plans for growth over the coming years.”