New flights from Cork to Antalya will take off next May

Cork Airport has announced the upcoming launch of a new twice-weekly route to Turkey as part of the 2026 summer schedule.

The service, operated by SunExpress, will fly direct to Antalya from May 16 until October 24, every Tuesday and Saturday.

Antalya is located on the southern coast of Turkey and is considered one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations.

Popularly known as the gateway to the Turquoise Coast, Antalya offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a rich tapestry of history, including the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos.

The announcement comes following the launch of this year’s summer route to Izmir, which, according to the airport, has seen a strong demand.

Additionally, the airport has said that last month’s passenger figures, which saw more than 330,000 passengers travel through its terminals, represent a 17% increase on the same month in 2024, marking this year’s May as the busiest ever at the facility.

Head of aviation business development and communications at Cork Airport, Tara Finn, said that the team at the facility are looking forward to offering “more choice” to customers in 2026.

“Having just celebrated the first SunExpress service to Izmir last weekend, it’s fantastic to be able to announce yet another direct service to Turkey for next summer,” said Ms Finn.

“SunExpress is our ninth and newest airline and is a valued partner as we continue to grow our route network, offering more choice for our loyal and valued customers from across the South of Ireland.”

Head of sales at SunExpress, Tobias Bracht, said that he is eager for passengers from Cork Airport to experience the “beauty and culture” of Turkey.

“We’re delighted to announce this new route to Antalya so soon after launching flights to Izmir,” said Mr Bracht.

“This expansion offers travellers from Southern Ireland greater opportunities to discover the beauty and culture of Türkiye.

“We remain committed to providing exceptional travel experiences, and our new Antalya route marks another important step in delivering the choice, value and convenience of SunExpress’ services to Irish passengers.”