AirNav Ireland confirmed temporary restrictions on air traffic arriving and departing Cork Airport between 0000 and 0700 on Wednesday 11 February to maintain safe operations amid staff shortages in air traffic control.
A flight scheduled to arrive at Cork was diverted to Shannon Airport as a result of the flow management measures. Passengers have been advised to check airline websites, mobile apps, or contact carriers directly for updated flight details.
Overnight restrictions in Cork airspace also caused delays to early morning flights, affecting passengers travelling through the airport.
The measures, implemented for safety reasons, disrupted schedules but were lifted by mid-morning.
The restrictions stemmed from ongoing concerns about air traffic controller availability at Irish airports, which have led to periodic operational adjustments to ensure safety. AirNav Ireland apologised for any inconvenience caused to travellers affected by the overnight curbs. Early morning services experienced knock-on delays following the resumption of normal operations after 0700.
The incident reflects broader pressures on Ireland’s air traffic management system, where shortages have prompted similar temporary measures at regional airports. Authorities continue to monitor staffing levels to prevent disruptions during peak periods. Cork Airport operations returned to standard flow once the restricted period ended.
AirNav Ireland shared in a written statement “AirNav Ireland, with responsibility for air traffic control operations at Cork Airport, has temporarily restricted the flow of air traffic arriving and departing at Cork between 0000 and 0700 this morning Wednesday, February 11 in order to maintain safe operations. Passengers seeking further information should refer to their airline website/mobile app or contact their airline directly for the most up-to-date flight information. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
