Cork Airport is gearing up for its busiest Easter Bank Holiday in years, with 57,000 passengers expected to travel this weekend alone — a 14% increase on Easter 2024. Easter Sunday is forecast to be the peak day for travel, as holidaymakers take advantage of school breaks and the airport’s extensive summer schedule.
Across the extended Easter period, over 155,000 passengers are forecast to pass through Cork Airport, marking a 21% rise in comparison to the same period last year. The surge is being driven by strong demand for sun destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy, as well as major European cities including London, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Brussels.
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport, said:
“Our summer season has really started well and with growth of 14% on our Easter traffic, the news that Cork Airport is easier and friendlier is reaching far and wide. Families want no drama at airports, and we pride ourselves on offering that experience at Cork Airport.”
To support smooth operations over the busy holiday period, passengers are being advised to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before departure. Early booking for car parking on corkairport.com is also recommended due to high demand.
In tandem with the Easter travel rush, Cork Airport’s summer schedule has officially taken off, with a wide array of European destinations available. This includes the launch of a brand-new Aer Lingus service to Bilbao in northern Spain — the first scheduled route from Cork to the Basque Country.
The new Cork–Bilbao route operates three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and is expected to be popular among both Irish holidaymakers and inbound Spanish tourists. The inaugural flight departed Cork on April 16 at 12:30, carrying a full complement of passengers.
Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, said:
“Bilbao is our first connection with northern Spain and the Basque region, and it’s fantastic to see a full flight departing on this inaugural Aer Lingus service today. There is so much to see and do in the wider Basque region, from the culture and arts scene in Bilbao, the stunning coastal city of San Sebastian, sampling some local ‘pintxos’ or venturing into the heart of the vineyards of the La Rioja region.”
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, said:
“Aer Lingus’ new direct service from Cork to Bilbao offers our customers in Cork and the wider Munster region even more choice for summer travel, while also creating a brand-new link for tourists from northern Spain to explore Cork. The Basque region is a firm favourite among Irish holidaymakers, known for its unique experiences that cater to all ages and interests. Today’s full flight is a clear reflection of the strong interest in this vibrant new route, and we look forward to welcoming even more customers on board in the months ahead.”
The route offers direct access not only to Bilbao but also to popular regional destinations such as San Sebastián, La Rioja, Pamplona and the Camino de Santiago trails. The service is set to run until mid-September, with fares starting from €59.99 one way including taxes.
Bilbao is the first of two new Aer Lingus routes from Cork this summer, with flights to Bordeaux launching next month. Both routes are set to bolster inbound tourism from two of Ireland’s top visitor markets, Spain and France.
Cork Airport’s full summer schedule for 2025 now includes over 50 destinations served by leading airlines such as Aer Lingus, Ryanair, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS and TUI, connecting passengers to sunny beach escapes, scenic city breaks and vibrant cultural hotspots across Europe.