Cork Airport (ORK)
History, Facts and Overview

(Cork, Ireland)

Cork Airport first opened its doors in 1961, after a period of planning and construction lasting around five years. Aer Lingus was one of the original airlines and helped the airport serve more than 10,000 passengers in year one. During the 1960s, the arrival of huge jet-driven passenger planes sparked the need for expansions and new services soon began, linking Cork with the English cities of Bristol, Manchester and London.

The 1970s was a time for much improvement at Cork Airport, with the terminal being modernised to include new halls and check-in desks, while the 1980s saw flights to Dublin, a long runway extension and the arrival of Ryanair. During the next decade, the terminal was enlarged and general facilities updated. From 2000 onwards, Cork International Airport (ORK) has enjoyed great change. A large onsite hotel opened in 2001, and most significantly, a new, state-of-the-art terminal building, which opened in 2006 to much international acclaim.


Essential passenger facilities at Cork International Airport include a bank, bureau de change and an ATM machine, while postal facilities and a handy nursing room are also available. The cash machine is useful in that it also dispenses Sterling currency as well as the obligatory Euro.

For eating and drinking at Cork Airport, there is a café and a restaurant / lounge on the first floor. The Cork's Food Market is especially popular, as is the Victorian-style Red Bar and the more contemporary Starbucks. For airport shoppers, the main stores include Travel Value, Hughes and Hughes Bookstore, and a Londis grocery store. Business facilities are available at a few of the major hotels in and around Cork, while inside the airport there is Wi-Fi Internet access and an executive lounge with basic essentials.