Aer Lingus Launches Cork to Santiago de Compostela Route
Aer Lingus has launched twice-weekly flights from Cork to Santiago de Compostela, with over 15,000 seats on sale through to the end of October.
Cork Airport welcomed a new chapter in its international connections on Monday as Aer Lingus operated its inaugural flight to Santiago de Compostela, the spiritual heart of Galicia in northern Spain.
Flight EI858 departed Cork just after 12:30 on 1 June 2026, marking the second direct link between Cork Airport and northern Spain, and the sixth new Aer Lingus route at the airport since April last year.
Santiago de Compostela is best known as the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, drawing over 530,000 pilgrims in 2025 alone, the highest figure ever recorded. Irish pilgrims ranked eighth among the top nationalities undertaking the journey last year, with numbers up 5% on 2024.
The new service will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays from now until 28 September 2026. From 3 to 24 October, flights will run on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Over 15,000 seats are on sale between now and the end of October.
Beyond the Camino, the city offers a UNESCO-listed old town, the magnificent Catedral de Santiago, and easy access to Galicia's rugged coastline, including the cliffs of Costa da Morte and the beaches of Pontevedra.
Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, said:
"Demand for the Camino seems to be growing every year, and the demographic is broadening as the experience becomes more popular. This new Aer Lingus route to Santiago de Compostela will provide excellent access to the beautiful Galicia region for our customers from across the south of Ireland, whether they are walking the Camino, exploring the historic city of Santiago, or enjoying the stunning coastline and cuisine that can be found in the region."
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, said:
"We are delighted to welcome our new service from Cork to Santiago de Compostela, giving customers in the South of Ireland even more choice for their summer and autumn travel. This new route offers a direct connection to one of Spain's most culturally rich and scenic regions, whether customers are drawn by its historic landmarks or eager to experience part of the iconic Camino de Santiago. At Aer Lingus, we are focused on offering convenient, great-value travel options, and the addition of Santiago, our sixth new route from Cork in the past year, is in response to strong demand for leisure and cultural travel."
Laura Peña, Director of the Spanish Tourism Office (Dublin), said:
"We are thrilled to see the launch of this new direct connection between Cork and Santiago de Compostela. This route will make it easier than ever for visitors in the South of Ireland to experience the unique charm of Galicia, from Santiago's iconic cathedral and historic old town to the region's breathtaking coastlines and renowned gastronomy. With its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, the North of Spain offers something truly special, and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors from this part of Ireland thanks to this exciting new link."
Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said:
"Visit Cork warmly welcomes this second new Aer Lingus route to Cork Airport this summer. The new service from Santiago de Compostela will make it even easier for visitors from Galicia to enjoy a holiday in Cork, where we are renowned for our exceptional food, stunning coastline, world-class golf and scenic coastal touring. With flights operating every Monday and Thursday, the route also offers the perfect opportunity for a short city break, alongside visits to popular towns such as Kinsale, Cobh and Midleton."
The new service follows the launch of a twice-weekly Cork to Nice route in May and forms part of a broader expansion at Cork Airport, which welcomed a record 3.46 million passengers last year.
