Cork Airport Announces Major European Hub Expansion for Summer 2026

Cork Airport has unveiled significant enhancements to its European connectivity for summer 2026, with leading airlines increasing services to major hub airports across the continent. The expansion will provide passengers across the South of Ireland with improved access to long-haul destinations worldwide.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will operate three daily flights to Amsterdam Schiphol year-round, maintaining the strong winter schedule announced earlier this year. Air France will resume daily services to Paris Charles de Gaulle from 1 March, increasing to up to 10 flights per week during peak summer periods.

German flag carrier Lufthansa will expand its Cork to Frankfurt service to five flights per week, rising to six during peak season. This marks the second consecutive summer of growth for the airline's Cork operations, connecting passengers to over 150 destinations across Lufthansa's worldwide network.

SWISS International Air Lines, through its subsidiary Edelweiss, will return earlier than usual to Cork Airport on 31 March with twice-weekly services to Zurich, offering onward connections to 70 European and 25 long-haul destinations.

Aer Lingus will maintain its four-times daily service to London Heathrow, Cork Airport's busiest route. The service provides access to over 130 destinations across the British Airways global network, covering North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development and Communications at Cork Airport, said:

"Having frequent, convenient connections to some of Europe's biggest hub airports is a key part of our business model. From Cork, passengers can connect to any corner of the world with some of Europe's biggest and recognisable carriers. Good hub connectivity benefits both business and leisure passengers alike, and we're proud to offer the best air connectivity for our customers across the South of Ireland."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, welcomed the announcement:

"Strong connectivity to and from Cork Airport is of vital importance to the region, for business, for tourism and is good for the regional economy. Cork Airport is worth over €1 billion to the Irish economy each year and I am delighted that the airline connections between Cork and the main European hubs of Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich will grow even further next summer."

The enhanced connectivity has been welcomed by business and tourism sectors. Dave O'Brien, President of Cork Business Association, said:

"Cork Airport's increased services to the main European hubs can only benefit the city and surrounding areas in terms of increased foreign direct investment into Cork. It will also make it easier for local businesses expanding into Europe and beyond, and Cork will get the benefit of increased inbound tourism with this growth in services."

Tom Randles, President of the Irish Travel Agents Association and Managing Director at Barter's Travelnet, added:

"It is fantastic to see some of Europe's biggest airlines expanding their presence at Cork Airport. The enhanced hub connectivity will offer leisure passengers significantly greater choice and easier access to long-haul holiday destinations. With expanded schedules to major European gateways operated by leading international airlines, long-haul journeys beginning from Cork Airport will be smoother and more convenient than ever."

Cork Airport welcomed 3.1 million passengers in 2024, representing 10% growth compared to 2023. The airport is forecasting over 12% growth in 2025, bringing passenger numbers to over 3.4 million. A €200 million Capital Development programme to support growth beyond 5 million passengers per annum was announced in May 2025, with works now underway on the first phase.