Up to 8 flights to and from Cork were significantly delayed – services back to normal
10:57, 11 Feb 2026Updated 11:30, 11 Feb 2026
Cork Airport
The body that looks after Ireland’s Air Traffic Control systems has confirmed to CorkBeo the reasons behind early morning restrictions at Cork Airport that caused significant delays for hundreds of passengers.
Cork Airport had to advise passengers, with messages on social media at 1.30am this morning, that AirNav Ireland, with responsibility for air traffic control in Irish airspace, had taken the decision to effectively close operations in Cork between midnight and 7am this morning. Schedules have since returned to normal.
The reason given was to ‘maintain safe operations’ – the restrictions caused significant delays to early morning arrivals and departures, with flights to and from Amsterdam, Manchester, London, and Spain all facing significant delays as no flights could arrive or depart before 7am. Cork Airport and airline staff had to scramble to facilitate rescheduled flights and deal with passenger queries.
The Aer Lingus flight to Malaga, which was to have left at 6.25am this morning, was still not showing as ready for departure as of 10.45am. The 5.45am flight to Manchester did not take off until 7.30am. Passengers who contacted CorkBeo said there was some confusion and crowding at the airport as flights had to be moved to slots after 7am but that airport and airline staff responded well on the ground.
AirNav Ireland, the body that controls air traffic control, responded to queries from CorkBeo about the delay and the lack of communication with passengers, who were left frustrated at Cork Airport this morning.
A spokesperson for AirNav Ireland told CorkBeo that the reason for the restrictions was effectively a last minute shortage of staff at the airport due to sickness. There have been reports that Ireland’s air traffic control operations have been hit by severe staff shortages and difficulties in recuirtment – with Ryanair amongst the airlines to highlight this as a major and growing issue at Irish airports.
The spokesperson said: “Due to short-notice sick leave on February 11, AirNav Ireland’s Cork air traffic control operations temporarily restricted the flow of air traffic arriving and departing Cork Airport in order to ensure air traffic safety was maintained.
Normal services have resumed in Cork and no further restrictions are expected. AirNav Ireland liaised with airline customers, the daa Cork Airport and the IAA about the flow restrictions.”
An extensive look at social media and press release accounts for AirNav Ireland and the IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) shows no alert about the issues at Cork Airport from anybody other than the Airport’s own social media accounts.
It was a frustrating morning for hundreds of passengers at Cork Airport but AirNav Ireland has said they will look at how they alert the public and regional media to issues such as this – and they may be in a position to issue an alert before the fact next time.
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