Jade Kirwan, Head of Communications at Ryanair and Roy O’Driscoll, Acting Managing Director, Cork Airport as a new flight from Cork to Rome was announced. Photo: Colm Lougheed

When in Rome

Say ciao to Rome as a new twice weekly service from Cork Airport to the Italian capital will take off next week.

The new Ryanair service to Rome (Fiumicino) will commence next Monday 31 October, with the inaugural flight departing Cork Airport at 6.15am. The service will operate Friday and Monday, offering Munster passengers an opportunity for either a short five-day break or a weekend getaway.

Guests from the world of politics, tourism and business celebrated the enhanced connectivity with Italy that forms part of Cork Airport’s biggest ever winter schedule at a Taste of Italy event.

Acting Managing Director at Cork Airport, Roy O’Driscoll said: “Amongst the 27 routes available from Cork Airport this winter, the jewel in the crown of our schedule is undoubtedly our new route to Rome, complemented by the continuation of services to Milan and Venice. The enhanced connectivity to some of Italy’s largest cities, each important centres of commerce and tourism, will offer Munster passengers even more fantastic options for a winter getaway.” Head of Visit Cork, Seamus Heaney welcomed the enhanced connectivity and the benefits it will bring for tourism in Cork, Munster, and the south of Ireland.

“As an island, Ireland needs good air connectivity for the movement of both people and trade. The connectivity between Cork - Milan, Rome and Venice is a positive move for the region as it opens up great possibilities for Italian visitors to explore Cork and the south of Ireland,” he said.

In addition to the new service to Rome, Ryanair will operate twice-weekly services to Milan (Bergamo) Airport and Venice (Marco Polo) Airport. Previously seasonal routes, services to both Milan and Venice will now operate year-round. The service to Milan will operate Tuesday and Saturday, while the service to Venice will operate on Wednesday and Saturday. With services to three of the largest Italian cities on offer this winter, passengers from across Munster and the south of Ireland have a great choice of destinations for an Italian city break.

Cork Airport’s Winter Schedule will commence next weekend (October Bank Holiday) and will operate until the end of March 2023. Over the course of the winter season, over 1.1 million seats are available across 27 routes, served by 5 airlines.