Cork Airport has won the Customer Service Award at the inaugural Aviation Industry Awards, sponsored by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

The awards, attended by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, TD, recognise excellence in the Irish aviation sector which employs 26,000 people directly in Ireland. Nineteen winners were chosen from more than 150 entries submitted by over 70 leading companies.

The award is the second Customer Service accolade given to Cork Airport in the last year as Cork Airport placed first for overall customer satisfaction in a respected global survey of passengers carried out by Airports Council International (ACI).

The ACI 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.

Accepting the Customer Service award, Cork Airport Managing Director, Niall MacCarthy said, “We are absolutely delighted that Cork Airport has been awarded the Customer Service award at the inaugural Aviation Industry Awards.

“To be recognised by our peers in the aviation sector on the island of Ireland, north and south, is no mean achievement and credit is due to the entire Cork Airport team who consistently deliver outstanding customer service, every day of the year. This second accolade comes less than a year after we achieved a world ranking from ACI for best in class customer service internationally.”

Mr. MacCarthy continued, “As part of Cork Airport going commitment to providing world class customer service, we are continually looking to innovate and improve the passenger experience.

“A number of new initiatives have been introduced in Cork Airport over the past twelve months; we recently became the first Irish airport to make Google Indoor Maps available for all public areas of Cork Airport and launched a new free iPhone and Android App, that is the essential guide to the full range of services at the Airport. Customer feedback terminals have also been installed at various locations in Cork Airport and these provide valuable information on the customer experience, from departure to the bathroom facilities.

“These latest developments have proven a huge success with passengers and have also helped the airport achieve its excellent customer offering.”

Speaking about the awards, Mr Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive of the IAA, said “The Aviation Industry Awards recognise the sheer scale of this industry in Ireland. 26,000 people are directly employed in this country by an industry that’s worth €4 billion to our economy. One in three of all aircraft worldwide are leased out of Ireland.

“The IAA got on board as sponsor of the Awards because we have some really innovative aviation services and products in Ireland that deserve to be celebrated – from international airlines to people manufacturing aircraft seats, to engine overhauls, and avionics products. These award winners are exceptional people doing exceptional work every day to enhance the Irish aviation sector, which punches well above its weight on the global stage.”

Cork Airport is the international gateway to the south of Ireland. Welcoming over 6,000 passengers a day, and more than 11,000 passengers a day in peak season, it is the country’s second busiest airport after Dublin. More than 2.2 million passengers travel through the airport each year, flying to over 50 destinations across the UK and throughout continental Europe.