Aer Lingus Launches Direct Flight to Geneva, Boosting Cork's Winter Network
Key Points
- 1Aer Lingus launched its new weekly Cork to Geneva service on December 20, 2025, operating until March 28, 2026.
- 2The route is strategically positioned to serve the growing European ski holiday market, which is projected to reach over $322 billion by 2032.
- 3Geneva is the second new Aer Lingus winter route from Cork, following the successful launch of the Prague service, now year-round.
- 4The expansion supports Cork Airport's record passenger growth, with traffic up 14% year-to-date in 2025.
Aer Lingus has officially launched a new European ski route from Cork Airport (ORK) to Geneva, Switzerland (GVA). The inaugural flight, EI852, departed on Saturday, December 20, 2025. This new direct flight connection provides a crucial link for travelers seeking winter sports and city breaks. The service will operate weekly, every Saturday, throughout the winter season.
This addition is a key part of the Aer Lingus Cork to Geneva expansion strategy. It significantly enhances the airline's seasonal offerings from the South of Ireland. The new route is expected to be highly popular with winter sports enthusiasts.
Strategic Network Expansion
Geneva is a winter sports gateway to the Alps. It offers convenient access to top European ski resorts. These include popular destinations like Chamonix, Verbier, and Zermatt. The new service complements Aer Lingus's existing winter routes from Cork. These established services fly to Lyon, Munich, and Salzburg.
Key Route Details
- The EI852 inaugural flight departed shortly after 1:15 PM.
- The seasonal air service operates every Saturday.
- The route runs from December 20, 2025, until March 28, 2026.
- Passengers on the first flight received special gifts, including Swiss chocolates.
This is the second new route introduced by Aer Lingus at Cork Airport this winter. A new service to Prague began in October. That Prague service has already proven popular, moving quickly to a year-round operation.
Capitalizing on the European Ski Market
This expansion aligns with positive winter tourism trends across the continent. The European winter tourism market is strong and continues to grow. It is projected to reach USD 322.35 billion by 2032. The global ski vacation market is also expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.8%.
Cork Airport is capitalizing on this strong market demand. Head of Aviation Business Development, Tara Finn, noted the European ski holiday market is expanding annually. The airport's proactive network development supports its overall growth trajectory. Cork Airport is on track for its busiest year ever in 2025. It surpassed 3 million passengers two months earlier than the previous year. Total passenger traffic is up 14% year-to-date. This makes it one of Ireland's fastest-growing airports.
Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, said the new service expands the airline's network. It offers customers more choices for seasonal adventures. The new European ski route provides a convenient gateway. It serves those chasing snow or seeking a charming city escape in Switzerland.
This successful launch is a positive sign for Cork Airport network expansion. It provides a strong boost to regional connectivity. The new route also offers important commercial aviation news for the Munster region. For more information on flight operation news, visit flying.flights.
Key Takeaways
- The Aer Lingus Cork to Geneva route operates weekly every Saturday.
- Service runs from December 20, 2025, through March 28, 2026.
- The route taps into the growing European ski holiday market, projected to reach over $322 billion.
- The launch supports Cork Airport passenger growth, which is up 14% year-to-date in 2025.
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