First transatlantic route to begin from Cork Airport

For the first time in its history Cork Airport will witness the start of scheduled transatlantic services operated by Norwegian’s Irish subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI).

The first direct transatlantic service will begin from Cork Airport to Boston from May 2016 operated by Norwegian. The company also intends to launch a new Cork to New York service in 2017 with an additional Cork to Barcelona service planned from May next year. The new routes are part of the company’s plan to continue expansion in the UK and Ireland.

“Cork Airport has long sought a service to the United States and we are thrilled that our customers will be able to fly direct from Cork to Boston next year, and that we’ll have flights to New York in 2017,” said Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy.

“The addition of direct year-round connectivity to North America has long been a target for Cork Airport, which has a robust business hinterland with a large cluster of US multinationals and a fantastic tourism product. This is great news for both Cork Airport and the region and is a major strategic boost for both business and tourism.”

Kevin Toland, Chief Executive of daa the operator of Cork Airport said: “This is fantastic news for Cork Airport and for the entire region. It will provide the first direct connection from Cork to the United States, which will be welcomed by both business and leisure travellers and I’m sure these new transatlantic services will bring additional tourist visitors to the Ireland south region.” 

“This is great news for both Cork Airport and the region and is a major strategic boost for both business and tourism”

Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos added: “Norwegian is leading the way in offering affordable transatlantic travel and with the new generation aircraft we have on order, we now have exciting plans to offer low-cost flights from Cork to Boston in 2016 and Cork to New York in 2017.

“We are delighted to offer a long-awaited service from the US to Cork and the southern parts of Ireland which will create huge business, leisure and tourism opportunities. Our new Cork to Barcelona route is also an exciting addition to our growing network.

“This is only the beginning of our plans for new routes in Ireland but our expansion relies on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) finally approving Norwegian Air International’s application for a foreign carrier permit. Only DoT approval for NAI will unlock the door for these exciting new routes, creating more competition, more choice and better fares for business and leisure passengers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Norwegian, which is Europe’s third largest low-cost airline, is currently in talks with the US Department of Transportation about Norwegian Air International’s application for a foreign carrier permit which would open the way for further expansion and new routes.

The airline plans to operate its new Cork transatlantic services with a narrow bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the new Boeing 737MAX. The airline will serve 4-5 flights a week from Cork to Boston.