'Huge pent-up demand': Cork Airport announces new service to Bristol
Pictured at Cork Airport, celebrating the announcement by Emerald Airlines (operating as Aer Lingus Regional) of a new service from Cork to Bristol are, from left: Mary Christie, Customer Service Agent, Aer Lingus; Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development, Cork Airport; Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport; Geraldine Gokul, Operations Supervisor, Aer Lingus and Roy O’Driscoll, Deputy Managing Director, Cork Airport. Picture: Brian Lougheed
Cork Airport has announced that Emerald Airlines, operator of the Aer Lingus Regional service, will fly a new six-times weekly service to Bristol from April 28.
The latest route announcement from the airport will bolster connectivity between the South of Ireland and the South-West of the UK.
Previously, the Cork to Bristol route was operated by Stobart Air, on behalf of Aer Lingus Regional, but flights ceased in June 2021 when Stobart Air ceased operations. There had been calls for the flights to resume, with an online petition recently garnering more than 1,100 signatures.
Managing Director at Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy said they expect significant demand for the service.
“We are thrilled to welcome Emerald Airlines, operating as Aer Lingus Regional to Cork Airport," he said. “The Bristol route from Cork has huge pent-up demand for leisure and business customers travelling in both directions.”
Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines, Ciarán Smith said they are delighted to be providing increased travel options from Cork.
“With more flights and more choice for the travelling public, we are progressively bolstering our 2023 schedule, with over 2.5 million seats on sale, across 30 routes and 19 destinations in Ireland, UK, and Channel Islands," he said.
“We welcome Emerald Airlines, operating as Aer Lingus Regional to Cork Airport and I am sure that they will grow their presence strongly here in the future," Head of Aviation Business Development at Cork Airport, Tara Finn welcomed Emerald Airlines, said.
This summer, Cork Airport will offer 45 scheduled routes serving the UK, France, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and Croatia.
Nine scheduled airlines will operate services at Cork Airport in 2023 – Ryanair, Aer Lingus, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Vueling, SWISS, TUI, and Emerald Airlines, operating under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
Emerald Airlines will operate the Cork to Bristol route using an ATR-72 turboprop aircraft, which is significantly more environmentally friendly than regional jets and other turboprops, emitting 40% less CO2.
