Nearly 750 Cork Rugby Fans Depart for Paris Six Nations Opener

Almost 750 Irish rugby fans departed Cork Airport this morning for Paris, heading to the Stade de France for Ireland's opening Six Nations fixture against France tonight. Despite an early start, the atmosphere was electric as supporters from across Munster boarded three Paris-bound flights.

The departures included an Aer Lingus scheduled service to Paris Charles de Gaulle, alongside charter flights to both Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly. Local travel agencies Lee Travel and Dawson Travel organised charter services, along with sports travel specialists Killester Travel and Cassidy Travel.

Cork Airport's security team managed the morning rush with impressive efficiency. All passengers travelling to Paris cleared security screening in eight minutes or less, despite three flights scheduled for departure within one hour.

Many fans were connecting through London, Edinburgh and Manchester to reach the French capital, with the terminal awash in green hats, scarves and jerseys throughout the morning.

Barry Holland, Communications Manager at Cork Airport:

"As Ireland take on France in their Six Nations opener tonight, it was fantastic to see so many fans flying to Paris today. With plenty green hats, scarves and jerseys around the terminal, occasions like this bring great excitement and we're especially pleased to see our local travel agencies continue the great tradition of arranging charters for many loyal Irish rugby fans. Our own airport security team did a tremendous job this morning, ensuring that all fans cleared security screening in eight minutes or less."

Paul Dawson, Sales Manager at Dawson Travel:

"With an almost full flight for our two-night trip to Paris for the Six Nations fixture against France, we have a very excited bunch of Irish fans travelling out of Cork Airport. We expect a very touch encounter with France, but our fans will be there in the thousands, to cheer on our men in green. What an exciting fixture to kick off the 2026 Six Nations!"

The popularity of international travel for major sporting fixtures continues to grow year on year. Later this month, more Irish rugby fans will use Cork Airport's connections to London for Ireland's match against England at Twickenham on 21 February.

Cork Airport welcomed 3.46 million passengers last year, an increase of 13% compared to 2024, offering over 50 routes to the UK and continental Europe.