Cork Airport recorded a 5% increase in passenger numbers in January compared to the same period in 2017. Passenger volumes to and from eastern Europe had the biggest increase, up 13.4% year-on-year, while southern Europe was up 12.5% and London increased by 1%.
In 2017, Cork Airport also announced significant European additions with new airline partners in Swiss, Iberia Express and Volotea.
Last month, Cork Airport revealed the addition of a new airline, with Air France to begin services out of Cork to Paris-Charles de Gaulle from May 26 until October 27. This route will not only link Cork to France, but also connect passengers from the south of Ireland to Air France's extensive network of over 180 destinations worldwide via the international hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
SWISS is to expand its Cork Zurich service for 2018, more than doubling its capacity this summer from 9,000 seats to 20,140. The airline will operate three flights per week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – commencing in early May and running until the end of October 2018.
Spanish carrier, Iberia Express, will expand its Cork Madrid route by 5% this summer, operating twice weekly to the Spanish capital from 1st June to 15th September. Fellow Spanish carrier Volotea has also announced that its Cork Verona route will operate every Saturday from May 26 to August 29, with an additional flight on Wednesdays during peak season, commencing June 27.