'It's great to see it starting': All Rhodes lead to Cork Airport for flyers

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024 - 18:07

Elaine Whelan

IT WAS smiles all around as the first direct flight to Greece from Cork Airport in over 20 years took to the skies.

Today, holidaymakers boarded the Ryanair flight FR4684 as Cork airport launched their new Rhodes route.

The flight to the Greek island is the first direct flight by any airline from Cork to Greece.

While waiting to board their flight, Cork locals Leila Ecker and Lauren Lehane said: “It’s so much more stress free to be flying from Cork instead of Dublin.

Passengers at the departure gate and about to board the inaugural Ryanair flight to Rhodes from Cork Airport. - Picture: David Creedon

“It only takes about 15 minutes to get through the whole thing. We might take a day trip to Athens or Mykonos while we are there, it will be so handy.”

Kinsale couple Sandra and Jeremy Ahern were also delighted with the new route from Cork, adding: “Cork Airport is brilliant.

“We’ve been to Greece before, but you could only fly from Dublin. We didn’t realise we would be getting the first flight from Cork, it’s great to see it starting here.”

The first flight from Greece landed on Saturday, June 1, and will continue twice weekly until the end of October.

Swissport staff, Prajeesh Varkey, Eva Martins and Maeve O'Sullivan at the departure gate and about to board passengers on to the inaugural Ryanair flight to Rhodes from Cork Airport. - Picture: David Creedon

One Greek passenger highlighted how important the new route will also be for those wanting to visit Cork from the Greek Isles.

“It was very easy to get to Cork direct from Rhodes. It was great for us because we have been trying for many years to get to Ireland, but it has been too difficult because, until now, we didn’t have a direct flight from our island,” Rhodes native Stella Glynou Chiotaki said.

Ms Glynou Chiotaki, who was travelling with her husband George, added: “I wanted to come to Ireland for so long, because we heard about the natural beauty here. We will definitely be back.”

Cork Airport communications manager Barry Holland welcomed the new addition, stating: “We are thrilled to have Rhodes starting this week. It’s the first connection we have at Cork Airport to Greece in over 20 years so it’s brilliant to have it here.