24 October 2019: Cork Airport, Ireland’s fastest growing and most punctual Airport, welcomes the announcement that Air France will double its frequency on the Cork to Paris-Charles de Gaulle route, with the addition of a second daily service from April to October 2020.

The airline will now operate a twice daily service for summer 2020, with the addition of a new early morning flight from Cork and a late evening service from Paris. These new flights will complement the existing Cork to Paris-Charles de Gaulle daily schedule.

The expansion plan for the additional 36,000 seats during summer 2020 by Air France is a significant boost for inbound and outbound tourism for Cork and the greater Munster region, offering connectivity to Air France’s extensive network of 195 destinations worldwide.

Welcoming the announcement, Cork Airport’s Managing Director Niall MacCarthy said: “We are really thrilled to see the doubling of frequency of Air France’s summer 2020 service between Cork and Paris. Paris is now firmly established as Cork’s third most important long-haul hub after Heathrow and Amsterdam. We welcome Air France’s expansion in Cork as one of the biggest airlines in the world and a growing business partner for Cork Airport, since it first established operations in Cork Airport in May 2018.

“At Cork Airport we have over 50 direct routes, however, our daily flights to major international hubs across Europe extends that even further. As Air France spreads its wings over five continents — from New York to Bangkok, Kenya to Cuba — a double daily service makes long-haul options from Cork Airport now easier and more convenient.

“Airports outside of Dublin in Ireland can grow strongly and Cork Airport is growing through the benefit of good, old fashioned, compelling aviation research and marketing activities. In that regard, we welcome the Government’s recent commitment to further enhance marketing partnerships with airports and airlines to further grow tourism and connectivity.”

Benedicte Duval, General Manager of Air France-KLM UK & Ireland stated: “As a result of the strong passenger numbers on our Cork to Paris route, we are delighted to be in a position to add a second daily flight for summer 2020. The twice daily service on the route will offer more choice, with the improved schedule allowing more passengers from the South of Ireland take advantage of our worldwide connections via Paris.

“From a business travel perspective, the addition of a new early morning flight to Paris and a return flight later in the evening means that those doing business in the French capital can now conveniently travel over and back in one day,” she added.

Now in its fourth consecutive year of growth, passenger numbers this year through Cork Airport will reach 2.6 million — up 8% on 2018. Next year, Cork is forecasting further growth despite the economic challenges of BREXIT ahead.