Airline ‘investing heavily in the region’
A so called ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft is to be used by Ryanair during its winter Cork schedule, it was announced during a media briefing on Leeside yesterday.
The Ryanair and Cork Airport briefing heard how the airline has operated to and from Cork for the past 37 years, carrying over 20 million passengers to date and “investing heavily in the region”.
The vast majority of Ryanair’s winter schedule will operate on the airline’s three Cork-based aircraft – one of which is a new enviro-efficient B-737 Gamechanger, which according the airline “cuts CO2 emissions by 16% and noise by 40% – representing a $300m (€271m) investment in Cork and supporting over 1,500 local jobs, while driving year-round inbound tourism at the same time”.
The event coincided with the airline launch of its winter schedule for Cork, with 23 routes including two new routes to Brussels Charleroi and Rome Ciampino.
Ryanair said it also added extra winter flights on two of its most popular Cork routes, Lanzarote and Manchester.
Speaking from Cork, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Jade Kirwan said: “As Ireland’s and Cork’s number 1 airline, Ryanair is pleased to announce our winter 2024 schedule for Cork, with 23 routes including two new routes to Brussels Charleroi and Rome Ciampino, as well as extra flights on two of our most popular Cork routes – Lanzarote and Manchester – giving our Munster and south-Leinster customers even more choice and regular connections at the lowest fares in Europe.”
She added: “Ryanair is committed to Ireland’s regional development which is reflected in our +85% traffic growth at Cork since 2019/pre-Covid.
“We’ve operated to/from Cork for over 37 years now during which time we have invested heavily in the region including our 3 Cork-based aircraft which represent a $300m investment and our support of over 1,500 local jobs.”
Ms Kirwan concluded: "We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with Cork Airport to further deliver important regional development, connectivity, jobs, and year-round tourism in the years ahead.”
Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development at Cork Airport, said: “As Ireland’s fastest growing state airport this year so far, it is great to welcome the team from Ryanair to Cork today as they announce their exciting winter schedule. Ryanair will offer an extensive range of routes from Cork Airport this winter, including some superb sun destinations like Faro, Fuerteventura, Seville, and Valencia along with great cities like Brussels, Edinburgh, Paris, Rome, and Venice.
"I’d like to thank Ryanair for their continued commitment and investment in Cork Airport and we look forward to fostering that great working relationship into the future.”