Cork Airport has confirmed that Norwegian is to launch the city's first ever scheduled transatlantic services.
Norwegian has announced today that it plans to operate a direct Cork-Boston service from next May and that it also intends to launch a new Cork-New York service in 2017.
A Cork-Barcelona service is also planned from May 2016.
The new routes will be operated under Norwegian’s Irish subsidiary Norwegian Air International (NAI).
“Cork Airport has long sought a service to the United States and we are thrilled that our customers will be able to fly direct from Cork to Boston next year, and that we’ll have flights to New York in 2017,” said Cork Airport managing director Niall MacCarthy.
“The addition of direct year-round connectivity to North America has long been a target for Cork Airport, which has a robust business hinterland with a large cluster of US multinationals and a fantastic tourism product.
“This is great news for both Cork Airport and the region and is a major strategic boost for both business and tourism.”
Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: “Norwegian is leading the way in offering affordable transatlantic travel and with the new generation aircraft we have on order, we now have exciting plans to offer low-cost flights from Cork to Boston in 2016 and Cork to New York in 2017.
“We are delighted to offer a long-awaited service from the US to Cork and the southern parts of Ireland which will create huge business, leisure and tourism opportunities. Our new Cork to Barcelona route is also an exciting addition to our growing network.
“This is only the beginning of our plans for new routes in Ireland but our expansion relies on the US Department of Transportation (DoT) finally approving Norwegian Air International’s application for a foreign carrier permit. Only DoT approval for NAI will unlock the door for these exciting new routes, creating more competition, more choice and better fares for business and leisure passengers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The Cork to Boston service is planned for May 2016 with 4-5 flights per week.
The Cork to New York service is planned for 2017, with the Cork to Barcelona service set to begin from May 2016 with 4-5 flights per week.
The airline plans to operate its new Cork transatlantic services with a narrow bodied Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the new Boeing 737MAX when it becomes available.