Cork Airport Unveils Major Upgrades to Enhance Passenger Experience

Cork Airport has announced a series of technological and infrastructural improvements designed to make the already easy airport experience even smoother for passengers this summer.

The upgrades include a tripling of Wi-Fi hardware providing speeds up to 200Mbps faster than before, a new car park prebooking system with automated number plate recognition, user-friendly self-service bag-drop kiosks for Aer Lingus customers, and the installation of a third airbridge worth €1.4 million.

The enhancements come as Cork Airport, recently crowned Europe's Best Regional Airport in 2025 by ACI Europe, continues its €200 million capital development programme. The airport welcomed 3.46 million passengers last year, representing a 13% increase on 2024.

Wi-Fi Transformation

The airport has invested in new Wi-Fi infrastructure across the entire terminal building, installing 170% more access points to deliver significantly improved internet speeds. The upgrade recognises changing usage trends, with passengers increasingly streaming content, conducting video calls, and working remotely whilst travelling.

The enhanced system has been built with sufficient bandwidth to cope with peak summer demand, ensuring consistent performance during the busiest periods of the year.

Streamlined Car Park Access

Last month, Cork Airport introduced a new car park booking platform that allows customers to reserve spaces in just a few clicks. The system is complemented by automatic number plate recognition technology at car park entry points, eliminating the need to present credit cards on arrival.

Customers can access all three airport car parks using either the ANPR system or by presenting a QR code from their booking confirmation email, significantly reducing entry times.

Express Bag Drop

New self-service Airware kiosks have been installed at the Aer Lingus check-in area on the ground floor. The technology allows passengers to weigh, tag, and check in their bags in minutes using the Aer Lingus app on their mobile phones.

Aer Lingus customer service agents remain available to assist passengers who need help with the new system.

Third Airbridge Operational Soon

A third airbridge, constructed by TKE and transported from Spain a fortnight ago, will become operational over the coming weeks at Gate 6. The €1.4 million investment will provide more convenient boarding and disembarking for passengers ahead of the summer season starting next month.

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport:

"Cork Airport was awarded the Best Regional Airport in Europe in 2025 by our industry body, ACI Europe. Offering the best passenger experience is never a completed task. We need to keep on improving, innovating and changing so more and more passengers choose the convenience and friendliness of Cork Airport. These initiatives one by one may seem small but are part of a continuous improvement programme where we always aim for better."

Darran Dineen, General Manager - Operations, Safety, Facilities and IT at Cork Airport:

"We launched our capital investment programme last May and already, we have completed two projects – an oversized baggage screening facility rebuild and the reconstruction of our staff/goods and vehicles security screening area. Our large mezzanine floor construction is on-time and on-budget for delivery in December of this year and we will be launching two more significant construction projects next month. Everything is geared towards the strategic growth of Cork Airport and an even better passenger experience."

The improvements form part of Cork Airport's ongoing capital development programme, which includes a mezzanine floor construction scheduled for completion in December and two additional significant projects launching next month.