Great plans underway at Cork Airport, says CityJet chief

Mr Byrne said the new three times a day Monday to Friday service has huge potential and he said the company is already looking at increasing the frequency to four flights a day.

Boarding the new .@cityjet service from .@CorkAirport. With a message from .@simoncoveney #Cork pic.twitter.com/JBTxf1UBGH

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) October 1, 2015

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, was at Cork Airport early this morning to help launch the airline’s new route which will include 18 flights weekly between Cork and the British capital.

CityJet’s Executive Chairman Mr Byrne said they were confident and excited about the new route and said early bookings indicated that both the business and travelling public saw real value in flying into an accessible airport with fast turnaround times and great transport links in London.

.@cityjet boss Pat Byrne at .@CorkAirport for the launch of its new #Cork to .@LondonCityAir service pic.twitter.com/BZoQS3RBAj

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) October 1, 2015

“We are delighted to launch our new Cork to London City Airport route which emphasises the progress we have made in building our passenger numbers and expanding our services across Europe," he said.

"Great plans are underway at Cork Airport and we see great potential in delivering access to London’s most accessible airport for the people of Cork and Munster in general.

“Cork is a vibrant, progressive city and county, boasting many leading ICT, pharma and biotechnology companies.

Robert Campbell Smith & James Morgan on the flight deck for inaugural .@cityjet flight from .@CorkAirport to London pic.twitter.com/kMysU8nEDX

— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) October 1, 2015

"This airlink into the heart of London’s financial district can help propel investment and growth in the local economy and provide ease of access to many thousands of leisure and holiday travellers."

@.CityJet has arrived in Cork ahead of the .@corkairport to .@LondonCityAir launch tomorrow. #CityJetCork pic.twitter.com/NEAxpNytpq

— Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) September 30, 2015

Today's inaugural flight follows the airline's recent brand launch and announcement of plans to create 15 jobs in a new call centre in Dublin next Spring.

CityJet now employs almost 500 staff, with over 300 based at its headquarters in Swords, Co. Dublin, and additional crew bases in London and Paris.

All the stars are flying out with .@cityjet .@corkairport this morning !#CityJetCork pic.twitter.com/rKrkSYIs6g

— Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) October 1, 2015

Minister Coveney said the new airline into the heart of London is great news for Cork and the region.

"As an island nation we are heavily dependent on our air routes to drive investment and our tourism sectors. Adding London City Airport as a destination and departure point for Cork will be a huge benefit to the local economy," he said.

“CityJet along with other carriers serving Ireland have seen a resurgence in passenger numbers following the downturn and this has been a bumper year for tourism, not least in Cork and the South West.

"We in Government have played our part in cutting passenger tax and promoting Ireland as a tourist destination and we look forward to continued growth in the aviation sector."

CityJet will carry over two million passengers this year on its own scheduled services network, on its wet lease programme for Air France and its charter services. The airline’s flagship Dublin to London City route has seen 40% growth in the last six months.