Pictures: Brian Lougheed
WHILE there will be no love lost if his beloved Kingdom meets the Rebels on the football field this year, Kerry’s own Junior Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, was happy to celebrate the launch of a new daily air service between Cork and Paris.
The inaugural flight landing at 15:50 yesterday afternoon was greeted by a water cannon salute upon arrival from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, with the aircraft flying Irish and French colours as it taxied to the arrival gate with senior Air France officials along with French media and VIPs on board.
The new daily operation offers greater choice and connectivity and there is great confidence that the new route will result in an increase in inbound tourism due to the popularity of the region with international tourists. It is expected that it will result in a significant increase in visitor numbers to the Kerry and Cork region.
Irish passengers now have the opportunity to connect to Air France’s extensive network of over 180 destinations worldwide. The daily flight is operated by Air France Hop! using Embraer 170 aircraft, carrying up to 76 passengers.
The route was initially announced in February as a seasonal service but, due to positive forward bookings, it has been extended to a year-round service.
At the departure gate, outbound passengers were joined by the Minister Griffin and the CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, for a champagne reception before the official cake cutting ceremony.
Irish passengers now have the opportunity to connect to Air France’s extensive network of over 180 destinations worldwide. The daily flight is operated by Air France Hop! using Embraer 170 aircraft, carrying up to 76 passengers.
The flight schedule departs from CDG Paris at 14:55 and arrives in Cork at 15:50 and departing from Cork at 16:30 to arrive in Paris at 19:20. Fares start from €129 return in economy.
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