Cork Airport recently completed a significant €3 million redevelopment program to improve the passenger experience at the airport. The redevelopments included upgrading the baggage security screening system, introducing new screening technology for liquids and gels, upgrading the customer information desk and redeveloping the screening and airside vehicle access point used by General Aviation and Private Aircraft passengers.

The work, which began in January 2013 and was completed last month, forms part of Cork Airport’s continued commitment to providing a world-class experience for all passengers.

Cork Airport Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy, said the investment had delivered a range of new and improved facilities for airport users. “This significant €3 million investment in Cork Airport will help us to continue to provide an award-winning passenger experience at the airport.

“A long-term perspective view is essential  in the airport business and these improvements ensure that Cork Airport’s  systems continue to be safe, secure and provide a best in class service  to the 2.3 million passengers who use our airport annually.”

The upgrade of the baggage security screening system ensures that Cork Airport continues to comply with the latest EU standards while the new security screening units greatly improve the overall imaging and detection quality.

As part of the upgrade, Cork Airport also introduced new screening technology for liquids and gels that will improve the overall resilience of the security system.

“Passenger security and satisfaction continue to be our top priority, as evidenced by our recent Number 1 ranking in the world for passenger satisfaction in the annual ACI (Airport Council International) regional airports survey 2013.”

As part of the investment programme the Customer Service Desk in the main airport concourse was expanded to improve visibility for passengers. The newly expanded location and now houses a variety of additional services for passengers including the collection point for The Loop’s ‘Shop & Collect’ service and the Car Parking Enquiries Office.

Cork Airport has also improved a number of areas for its airline customers and ground handling operators. The airport’s airside vehicle access point was relocated and reinforced by installing new gates and increasing the height of the security fence. The staff screening point was also relocated to this area to promote efficiency and improve overall airside security at the airport.

Cork Airport is the world’s best airport in its class for Customer Service having been placed first for overall customer satisfaction in a respected global survey of passengers last year. Cork Airport saw off all contenders in the 2013 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Regional survey, which is carried out globally on behalf of Airports Council International (ACI).

The passenger survey measured customer satisfaction across eight categories in 61 regional airports worldwide. Cork Airport scored highest of all the airports and was ranked as the world’s best regional airport for customer service by both business and leisure travellers.