It’s been a turbulent year for Cork Airport.

Ireland’s fastest-growing airport in 2019 was on course to beat its own records in 2020. Instead, traffic is down more than 90% and it is facing losses of €20 million.

Today, however, there was light at the end of the tunnel at last; the Government is to provide funding for operational and capital assistance for Cork Airport and a new national airport charges rebate scheme covering the period January to March 2021.

Welcoming the news this evening, Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said that the action by the Government was both very welcome and appreciated.

“Cork Airport is ordinarily the second busiest and best-connected airport in the State,” said Mr MacCarthy.

“However, the aviation sector has been extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and our business is now less than one-twentieth of what it was last year. On that basis, we have a long journey to travel here at Cork Airport as we seek to regrow our network and become an engine of growth for the South of Ireland economy once again.

“In that context, we strongly welcome today’s announcement of operational and capital assistance for Cork Airport and a new national airport charge rebate scheme covering the first three months of next year.”

Mr MacCarthy said that this week has seen some green shoots internationally, including the adoption of the new EU traffic light system, the first step towards a widescale safe resumption of air travel within Europe.

“We are grateful for this support from Government as we start on that process,” he added.