Aer Lingus announces Paris flights from Shannon and Cork

James Cox

Aer Lingus have announced new direct services to Paris from Shannon and Cork airports.

This means the Shannon to Paris route will return after 12 years. Meanwhile, the Cork route will be a temporary addition.

The flights will carry Irish rugby supporters to the Stade de France for Ireland’s highly-anticipated match against South Africa in Paris on Saturday.

With flights operating twice-weekly from Shannon, this addition to the Aer Lingus route network "aims to provide valuable connections and increased capacity for leisure and business travellers".

Aer Lingus said the Shannon-Paris route will increase inbound traffic to the west of Ireland.

European passengers will also "benefit from convenient connections onto Aer Lingus services to the United States through Shannon Airport".

The scheduling of the Paris to Shannon route has been "carefully designed" to ensure travellers have time to catch connecting flights to Boston or JFK via one of the two A321 LR aircraft based at the airport.

The temporary Cork to Paris route will operate until October 30th, providing rugby supporters from the Munster area easier access to World Cup games. The flight schedule has been planned to coincide with the Ireland matches and most weekends will see outbound flights on Fridays and returns on Sundays.

Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus chief corporate affairs officer, said: “We are delighted to commence the new direct services from both Shannon and Cork to Paris and offer Aer Lingus customers travelling from these Airports a convenient connection to the French capital.

"The new Shannon to Paris route will give those in the West of Ireland more opportunities for leisure and business travel as well as an influx of tourism opportunities to the region.

"It’s also great to welcome the many Ireland fans on board both flights to bring home advantage to France”.