Cork Airport to rebuild runway as part of €40 million upgrade

Cork Airport has awarded the main construction contract for the rebuilding of the airport’s main runway to Colas Limited, which has extensive experience of completing similar runway projects across the world.

Ireland’s Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton, visited the airport today to meet with airport managing director, Niall MacCarthy, and Colas Ireland CEO, Gearoid Lohan, to confirm the approval of €10 million in government funding towards this critically important project.

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.

MacCarthy said: “We are delighted to award this significant runway reconstruction contract to Colas. This project forms part of a total investment and upgrade programme of €40 million between 2020 and 2022 so that the infrastructure at Cork Airport is positioned for recovery post-COVID-19.

“We are very grateful to the Irish Government for the significant financial support to get this project underway and completed.

“The rebuilding of the main runway is the largest construction project to be undertaken at Cork Airport since the building of the new terminal 15 years ago.”

The construction programme includes a reconstruction of the main runway and the replacement of the airfield electrical systems, ducts and pits. These are all between 20 and 30 years old and the resulting electrical upgrade will reduce our runway electrical carbon footprint by 70%.

“These works are necessary to ensure that the main runway at Cork Airport continues to meet and exceed strict national and international regulations governing the operation and specification of runways at major airports and position us well for the future,” added MacCarthy.

“With our physical infrastructure rebuilt, we are fully committed to rebuilding our business and connectivity and making Cork Airport once again the second largest airport in the State and connecting the South of Ireland with the world.”

In addition to reconstruction of the main runway, other infrastructure development projects planned as part of the €40 million upgrade include a new Electrical Sub-Station and a new hold baggagesSecurity screening system.

Minister Naughton noted: ‘‘This will be the single biggest investment by any Government at Cork Airport and, when complete, it will serve as a key strategic asset for Cork and the entire region over the next 20 years.”