An historic moment in the history of Cork Airport as the first flight, Shamrock 840, EIN 840 (EI DVK) to Amsterdam takes off after Cork Airport has completed the renaming of its main runway, following changes to the Earth'€™s magnetic poles. The airport'€™s runway, which was designated as Runway 17/35 in 1961, is now Runway 16/34. The re-designation is a result of changes to the Earth'€™s magnetic poles in the past 57 years, which have shifted the runway'€™s magnetic headings. The runway now stands at 164°M and 344°M respectively. The re-designation, took place early Thursday, 26 April before the first wave of departing flights. (Pic: Brian Lougheed)

Cork Airport has completed the renaming of its main runway, following changes to the Earth’s magnetic poles.

The airport’s runway, which was designated as Runway 17/35 in 1961, is now Runway 16/34.

The re-designation is a result of changes to the Earth’s magnetic poles in the past 57 years, which have shifted the runway’s magnetic headings.

The runway now stands at 164°M and 344°M respectively.

The re-designation took place early last Thursday, before the first wave of departing flights.

Airport runway numbers change approximately every 50 years, with the next re-designation for Cork Airport due in 2068.

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