Cork Airport Celebrates Terminal's 20th Birthday As Two Millionth Passenger Milestone Is Passed

Cork Airport marked a double celebration yesterday, with staff from across the campus gathering to mark 20 years since the terminal building first opened, alongside confirmation that the airport had passed the two millionth passenger mark for 2026.

The terminal first opened on 1 August 2006, when the first passengers arrived shortly after 07:30 on a Ryanair flight from London Stansted. It was the first airport terminal to be built in Ireland in the 21st century. Since then, over 47 million passengers have used the facility, which has retained its contemporary look since opening day.

Cork Airport's two millionth passenger of 2026 was confirmed on Sunday, 2 August, just four days later than the same milestone was reached last year. The landmark came during a busy August Bank Holiday weekend, which saw 72,000 arriving and departing passengers pass through the airport.

This year, Cork Airport has begun work on its most ambitious capital development programme since the terminal itself was built two decades ago. Later this year, passengers will see the opening of a new mezzanine floor and passenger security screening area, with further plans including additional boarding gates and a new pier as the airport prepares for growth beyond five million passengers annually.

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport:

"It's twenty years since we opened our "new" terminal and all of our staff are very proud of that terminal. It retains its modern feel and is still as easy, clean and well-maintained as the day it was opened. Ultimately, buildings are buildings and they don't function without excellent staff providing friendly, efficient services every day. I'm really proud to say that the experience at Cork Airport is even better, now than it was twenty years ago and will get better again as we open our new mezzanine floor and other enhancements in the months ahead. Happy birthday, Cork Airport terminal!"

Cork Airport, part of daa Group, is the second largest airport in the Republic of Ireland and was named Best Regional Airport in Europe by Airport Council International (ACI) Europe in June 2025. Last year the airport welcomed 3.46 million passengers, a 13% increase on 2024, its busiest year to date across more than 50 routes to the UK and continental Europe.

The airport is progressing a €200 million capital development programme to support growth beyond five million passengers per year in the coming years.