€10 million in Exchequer funding approval announced towards Cork Airport runway reconstruction
Cork Airport has awarded the main construction contract for the rebuilding of the airport’s main runway to Colas Limited, part of the International Colas Group, a leader in the field in the design, maintenance and construction of transport infrastructure. Colas has extensive airport construction experience with similar runway reconstruction projects completed across the world.
Around 250 construction and supply jobs will be created during the project, including several local specialist sub-contractor roles. Mobilisation and preparatory site works will begin at night immediately, without impacting the airport’s summer flight schedule.
The main construction works will follow on a 24/7 basis over a 10-week period from September 13. Construction of the new runway will be completed by November 22 in advance of the busy Christmas travel period.
Over €40 million is being invested in Cork Airport between 20202022 to upgrade the critical infrastructure at the airport of which the main runway reconstruction, a new electrical sub-station and a new hold baggage security screening system, constitute the major parts.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton visited the airport on Monday to meet with MD Niall MacCarthy and Colas Ireland CEO, Gearoid Lohan and confirmed the approval of €10m in Government funding towards this critically important project.
Colas was awarded the contract following an extensive EU tender process. The project to reconstruct the main runway (16/34) is being supported by Government funding of €10 million from the Department of Transport, with the balance of the funding coming from Cork Airport’s parent company, daa plc, to complete the project.
Before Covid-19, Cork Airport served 57 scheduled routes with 9 airlines. Cork Airport is currently serving 15 routes (at a lower frequency than normal) operated by Aer Lingus, Ryanair, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS and Air France.