Numbers are up 22 percent on last year.

Cork Airport is preparing to welcome 30,000 passengers over St. Brigid’s weekend as the first bank holiday of 2024 provides an opportunity for many to escape the cold, wet, winter weather.

The busy travel hub is reporting significant demand for services to southern Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands during the month of January.

Ski services have also proven popular, with direct connections to Munich, Lyon and Salzburg packed with passengers heading for the slopes this winter.

This weekend also coincides with the first of Ireland’s away games in the Six Nations Championship and hundreds of Irish fans are expected to jet off to Marseille this Friday, either directly by special charter service or connecting in the hubs of London Heathrow and Amsterdam.

“At this time of year, with the dark evenings, we all like to countdown to our next sun break.” said Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport.

Over the coming days, passengers are advised to arrive 90 minutes before their scheduled flight departure time.