Cork International Airport (IATA Airport Code; ORK, [[ICAO Airport Code; EICK) is one of Ireland's main airports. Situated on the south side of Cork City in an area known as Ballygarvan, the airport is operated by Aer Rianta. This company also administers Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport. Cork Airport mostly handles domestic Irish flights and flights to Britain and Europe. Aer Lingus and Aer Arann are the largest operators at Cork Airport.

History

In 1957 the Irish Government agreed in principle to the building of an airport for Cork City. After viewing many sites in the area it was areed that the airport should be built at Ballygarvan. Tenders were invited for the construction of the airport in 1959 at an estimated cost of £1million. The airport was officially opened on October 16, 1961. However, proving flights by Aer Lingus and Cambrian Airways had taken place four days earlier. In its first year the airport handled 10,172 passengers - currently the equivalent of a single busy day at the airport. Throughout the 1960s the airport expanded with more advanced aircraft and more destinations. The first jet, a BOAC Comet, landed at Cork Airport on March 29, 1964. By 1969 Aer Lingus were operating to London Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol.

On August 27, 1970 a unique event occurred. Due to adverse weather conditions at Shannon Airport and Dublin Airport Aer Lingus' transatlantic fleet (three Boeing 707s from New York, Boston and Chicago) were diverted to Cork. In 1972 the Duty Free shop opened for service. In 1975 Aer Rianta undertook a passenger terminal study aimed at improving the terminal facilities. The findings resulted in the provision, over the next couple of years, of new departure and arrival halls, new check-in area and office complex, new information desk an duty office and new VIP Lounge. In 1977 new Duty Free facilities were opened, while the following year completed extensions and facilities were officially opened.

The 1980s began with an extension of the main apron being built. New services to London Gatwick began while Aer Lingus' commuter division started a new internal service to Dublin Airport. In 1985 due to huge growth at the airport [{Aer Rianta]] carried out a survey of the terminal facilities with a view to carrying out a major expansion and development programme. On June 8, 1987 Ryanair began a new service at Cork Airport. In 1988 Phase 1 of the Terminal Expansion and Development Plan completed. The following year the main runway extension of 1000 feet 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 whole Terminal Expansion and Development Plan was completed in 1994. Over the next few years £60million is to be invested in a ten-year plan. The first phase, providing an extension to the terminal and a new pier will be completed by 2005/2006. This will bring the annual capacity up to 2.5 million passengers. To cater for this a furthur extension to the terminal with extra airbridges will be added. A new cargo facility will also be built.

Airlines and routes

• Aer Arann (Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Southampton)
• Aer Lingus (Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, London Heathrow, Malaga, Milan Malpensa, Paris de Gaulle)
• Air Malta (Malta)
• Air Wales (Plymouth)
• BMIBaby (East Midlands, London Gatwick, Manchester)
• British Airways Citiexpress (Glasgow, Manchester)
• British Midland (Leeds/Bradford)
• CSA Czech Airlines (Prague)
• Ryanair (London Stansted)

External link

• Cork International Airport Homepage (http://www.ork.aero)