Cork Airport Prepares for One of Its Busiest Weeks Ahead of St Patrick’s Day

Cork Airport is set to experience one of its busiest weeks of the year, with over 53,000 passengers expected to pass through its doors over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend. A combination of international sporting events and the national holiday will drive significant passenger traffic, with outbound travellers heading to key sporting fixtures and inbound visitors arriving to partake in St Patrick’s Day celebrations across the South of Ireland.

To mark the national holiday, Cork Airport will host a series of live traditional Irish music and dance performances in the terminal building. From Thursday through to Monday afternoon, local musicians will perform in the Arrivals area, offering a warm céad míle fáilte to those landing at Ireland’s Gateway to the South.

Increased Services for Major Sporting Events

International sporting fixtures are playing a significant role in the surge in passenger numbers. The Cheltenham Racing Festival, which kicks off tomorrow, will see large numbers of punters travelling to the UK. To accommodate demand, Ryanair has added extra services to Birmingham, while others will utilise the daily Aer Lingus Regional service to Bristol.

Additionally, Irish rugby fans are set to travel in force to Rome for Ireland’s final Six Nations Championship match against Italy. Across Thursday and Friday, six direct flights will operate from Cork to the Italian capital, including three charter flights and an Aer Lingus service, complementing Ryanair’s two scheduled flights.

Airport Management Welcomes the Festive Atmosphere

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport, commented on the significance of the holiday and the preparations in place:

“We in Ireland are blessed to have a national day which is known the world over and a branding which resonates in every country without prompt. St Patrick’s week starts the tourist season, and we at Cork Airport have a feast of traditional music and song to celebrate our national culture and to welcome visitors and locals together to Cork. For outbound passengers, we have additional resources supporting our operation to ensure the standards of service this year remain as good as our passengers expect. From all of us at Cork Airport, Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir!”

Enhancements for Travellers

Passengers travelling over the busy weekend will also have the opportunity to enjoy the newly refurbished CRAFT bar and restaurant, which is reopening this week. The venue has undergone extensive interior upgrades, now featuring additional seating and a refreshed menu focusing on locally sourced ingredients.

With Friday, March 14, expected to be the busiest departure day, Cork Airport is advising passengers to arrive at least 90 minutes before scheduled flights and to allow extra time for check-in and security clearance on charter services.

This weekend’s passenger traffic is set to be 7% higher than the same period last year, reflecting a strong appetite for both outbound travel and inbound tourism. As Cork Airport gears up for a vibrant and festive weekend, travellers can look forward to a smooth and enjoyable journey as they celebrate Ireland’s national holiday.