Cork Airport

Cork Airport Aerfort Chorcaí
IATA: ORK – ICAO: EICK
Summary
Airport type		Public
Owner		Government of Ireland
Operator		Dublin Airport Authority
Serves		Cork, Ireland
Location		Ballygarvan, Cork
Hub for		Aer Arann Aer Lingus Ryanair
Elevation AMSL		502 ft / 153 m
Coordinates		51°50′29″N 008°29′28″W / 51.84139°N 8.49111°W / 51.84139; -8.49111 (Cork Airport)Coordinates: 51°50′29″N 008°29′28″W / 51.84139°N 8.49111°W / 51.84139; -8.49111 (Cork Airport)
Website		www.corkairport.com
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
	m	ft
17/35	2,133	6,998	Asphalt
07/25	1,310	4,298	Concrete/Asphalt
Sources: Airport website[1], Irish AIS[2]

Cork Airport, (Irish: Aerfort Chorcaí) (IATA: ORK, ICAO: EICK) is one of the three principal international airports of Ireland, along with Dublin and Shannon. It is located 6.5 km (4.0 mi)^[2] south of Cork City in an area known as Farmers Cross.^[3] Over 40 destinations in Ireland and Europe are served from Cork Airport. In 2008, Cork Airport handled 3.25 million passengers,^[4] making it the Ireland's second busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers, after Dublin, and third busiest on the island of Ireland, after Dublin and Belfast.

History

1957 to 1979

In 1957 the Government of Ireland agreed in principle to the building of an airport for Cork City. After considering many sites in the area it was agreed that the airport should be built at Ballygarvan. Tenders were invited for the construction of the airport in 1959 at an estimated cost of £1 million. The airport was officially opened on 16 October 1961, following proving flights four days earlier by Aer Lingus and Cambrian Airways (later taken over by British Airways). Vincent Fanning was the first manager at the airport[1]. In its first year the airport handled 10,172 passengers - close to the average number of passengers handled each day at the airport in 2007. Throughout the 1960s the airport expanded with the arrival of more advanced aircraft and more destinations. The first jet, a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Comet, landed at Cork Airport on 29 March 29 1964. By 1969 Aer Lingus was operating to London Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol.

In 1975 Aer Rianta (Dublin Airport Authority) undertook a passenger terminal study aimed at improving the terminal facilities. The findings resulted in the provision, over the next two years, of new departure and arrival halls, a new check-in area and office complex, a new information desk, duty office and executive lounge. The newly completed extensions and facilities were officially opened in 1978.

1979 to 2000

The 1980s began with an extension of the main apron. New services to London Gatwick began, while Aer Lingus' commuter division started a new domestic service to Dublin Airport. In 1985 following significant growth, Aer Rianta carried out a survey of the terminal facilities with a view to carrying out a major expansion and development programme. On 8 June 1987 Ryanair commenced services at Cork Airport. In 1988 Phase I of the Terminal Expansion and Development Plan was completed. The following year the main runway extension of 1,000 ft (300 m) was opened.

The 1990s began with the completion of Phase II of the Terminal expansion in 1991 and Phase III being completed in 1992. The Terminal Expansion and Development Plan was completed in 1994.

2001 to date

Aer Lingus is the biggest operator at Cork Airport

Ryanair is the second biggest operator at Cork Airport in terms of passenger numbers

Aer Arann is the third biggest operator at Cork Airport in terms of passenger numbers

Inside of the airport terminal, viewing the check-in area

A Great Southern Hotel was opened on the airport grounds during 2001, and plans were drawn up for the construction of a new terminal building and ancillary capital investment works at an estimated cost of €140 million. Along with the construction of the terminal, roads were upgraded from single to dual carriageway and re-aligned, a new short term multi-storey car park constructed and key services enhanced to the highest international standards. Airbridges were an integral element of the original terminal design. However, only one airbridge was built because airline representatives from the low-cost carriers who use Cork Airport made it clear that they did not want airbridges, would not use them and would not pay for them.

In those circumstances, the DAA had no choice but to remove the airbridges from the terminal design during construction of the new facility. The new terminal was completed with four fixed links to the main building and is designed to accommodate additional airbridges if and when airlines indicate that they wish to avail of them.

On 11 April 2008 the board of Cork Airport Authority agreed by one vote to accept responsibility for a debt of €113 million incurred by the Dublin Airport Authority in the redevelopment of Cork Airport in order to secure independence from Dublin Airport. This was despite government commitments that the Cork Airport Authority would be established on a debt-free basis.^[5] The Cork Airport Authority Board also stated that their strong reservations about the level of debt that Cork Airport was being levied with and the potential impact on its future sustainability. On 21 April 2008 Cork Airport Authority chairman Joe Gantly announced his resignation effective from the end of July 2008 by which time he will have completed 5 years service with the Board.

The new terminal opened on 15 August 2006. Designed by HOK and Jacobs Engineering Group, the new terminal is Ireland's first 21st century airport terminal. In terms of further expansion, the terminal can be extended in the form of additional piers which can be constructed to the north and south.

The Irish Aviation Authority has begun construction of a new control tower at Cork Airport located opposite the airport terminal, north-west of runway 17/35 separate from other airport buildings. The development also consists of offices and car parking spaces for control tower staff.

General aviation and business jets

bmibaby operate flights to Nottingham East Midlands Airport and Manchester Airport from Cork daily

Cork Airport has a long tradition of general aviation flying. Both fixed wing and rotary wing flight training providers operate at the airport. These flying schools are located to the south of the terminal building, on the east side of the main runway. Cork Airport also serves a lot of business jets and they are parked near the short-term car park (beside the old terminal) they are very domanint at the airport. Since Bombardier (Bombardier Aerospace) jets are made in Northern Ireland a lot of deliveries take place at various Irish airports including Cork Airport.

Geographical situation

Jet2.com operate a Cork to Newcastle Airport twice a week.

With an elevation of 502 ft (153 m) above sea level, Cork Airport is sometimes prone to fog and a low cloud ceiling. The Instrument Landing System has been upgraded to Category II, and together with a 305 m (1,000 ft) extension of the main runway has significantly reduced the number of diversions. However during times of severe inclement weather the airport can suffer from delays or diversions to airports such as Shannon, Dublin or Kerry. Similarly, diversions from these airports occasionally land at Cork.

The length of the main runway dictates that the airport cannot handle fully laden large widebody aircraft. Large wide-bodied aircraft do visit Cork Airport on a regular basis and usually only operate on ad-hoc charter services for flights to various matches involving the Munster Rugby team.

Operator

The terminal building

From its opening in 1961 the airport was managed by the Department of Transport and Power (now the Department of Transport). Aer Rianta took control of Cork and Shannon airports on 1 April 1969 and the assets of the airports were transferred to the company under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act, 1998. The name of Aer Rianta was changed to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) under the State Airports Act 2004, which also created the Cork Airport Authority^[6] and the Shannon Airport Authority.^[7] These companies were charged with preparing a business plan in preparation for taking over the assets of their airports from the DAA.

On dates yet to be confirmed, the Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities will have the relevant airport assets vested in them and assume full responsibility for the management, development and operation of Cork and Shannon airports respectively. In the interim, the board of the DAA has transferred significant day-to-day operational responsibility, under delegated authority, to the boards of the Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities.

The Irish Aviation Authority is responsible for all management of airfield safety and air traffic services. The control tower at Cork Airport is based at Compass House and houses both tower and Terminal Control Center (approach and departure). A new control tower is currently being constructed to the west of the airport, on a site adjoining the fire training grounds.

Ground transport

Charter operations continue to grow at Cork, Thomson Airways commenced operations from Cork in September 2008

Bus Éireann and SkyLink provide a regular bus service from the airport to the city centre which usually takes 25 minutes. The Bus Éireann service to Kinsale also calls at the airport.

The airport is also served by taxi. There is a taxi rank located outside the arrivals entrance.

Cork Airport is conveniently located just 8 kilometres from Cork City Centre on the south end of the N27. when coming from the North, West, or East of Cork and off the R600 when coming from Kinsale.

Cork Airport, being in close proximity to the city centre by road 6.5 km (4.0 mi),^[2] has no railway station linking it to the rail network. However Kent Railway Station is across the River Lee from the bus station at Parnell Place in the city centre. From Kent Station, passengers can connect to both the Cork Suburban Rail or the Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) national network.

Car hire is available in the arrivals hall of the terminal building, with several car rental firms located at the airport.

Passenger facilities

The new terminal at Cork Airport contains several shopping and eating facilities both before and after the security screening area, a bank with bureau de change service and an executive lounge. There are also various vending machines throughout the terminal. Paid Internet access is available throughout the terminal. There are also Wireless Internet Network services available on a free basis for passengers.

Free internet access is available in the Jack Lynch lounge for frequent flyers and business class passengers.

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled

^[8]

Charter

Freight

Passenger Numbers

2008 proved to be the 16th consecutive year for passenger growth to and from Cork Airport^[9] Figures in Millions.

Wizz Air operate flights to Five destinations in Poland from Cork

Air Southwest operate flights to Newquay Cornwall Airport and Plymouth Airport from Cork

Incidents and accidents

• On 24 March 1968, Aer Lingus Flight 712 departed Cork at 10:32 for a flight to London Heathrow and was cleared for FL170. The crew reported at the Bannow reporting point at FL170 at 10:57 and were instructed to change frequency to London Airways. Just eight seconds after first reporting on the London air traffic control frequency, a message was received which was later interpreted as "Twelve thousand feet descending spinning rapidly". The Vickers Viscount descended and struck the sea 1.7 NM (3.1 km; 2.0 mi) from Tuskar Rock. All 61 passengers including crew died on board.

References

External links

• Current weather for EICK at NOAA/NWS

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