Volotea, Swiss and Aer Lingus increase frequencies at Cork for Summer 2018
Following a very successful Summer 2017 schedule, Volotea, the Spanish low-cost carrier has confirmed that their weekly Verona service to Cork will increase to twice weekly for summer 2018. Cork to Verona will operate every Saturday from May 26th to August 29th with an additional flight on Wednesdays during peak season commencing on June 27th. Volotea will operate the route with an Airbus A319 aircraft.
The doubling in capacity is testament to the popularity and uptake of the route by passengers across the South of Ireland and the metropolitan city region of Cork. It is a further indication of growth and expansion at Cork Airport with four new airlines operating five new routes this year. This is the second new airline at Cork Airport to announce a doubling in capacity next year following the announcement of Swiss to increase significantly their operation to Zurich for next year.
“We welcome the news that our airline partner Volotea has announced today’s expansion of this very popular Italian route and destination for summer 2018. The increased frequency will translate to an extra 4,000 seats available to holidaymakers next summer from Cork Airport,” said Cork Airport’s Head of Aviation Marketing Daragh Hanratty.
“As well as Saturday departures, there will also be an extra departure on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Last summer was a historic one for Cork Airport with the launch of direct transatlantic travel and increased passenger numbers. Announcements like Volotea’s pave the way for another growth and increased connectivity next summer from our gateway to the South of Ireland,” he added.
The expansion will also be welcomed from an inbound perspective. Ireland’s Ancient East and Wild Atlantic Way are both uniquely accessible from Cork Airport, as the Republics’ second biggest and best connected airport outside of the capital. Both propositions are already very attractive and compelling tourism propositions for the continental market. This increased connectivity will further develop a growing inbound tourism market through Cork Airport.
Aer Lingus has no current plans for transatlantic flights from Cork despite suggestions from the airline’s COO Mike Rutter that they were on the horizon. However, the airline has announced increased frequencies from Cork to Alicante, Barcelona and Malaga for Summer 2018. The airline will suspend the Belfast-Almeria and Alicante routes next summer which will allow extra capacity for the expansion at Cork without cancelling other routes from the airport.
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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