Cork Airport, recognized as Europe's Best Regional Airport, is delighted to announce the addition of two brand-new Aer Lingus European routes to Nice and Santiago de Compostela.

The new services are set to commence on May 6 (Nice) and June 1 (Santiago de Compostela) respectively.

In addition to these new routes, Aer Lingus is extending its popular service to Prague from a winter-only to a year-round service.

The inclusion of Nice and Santiago de Compostela brings the total number of new Aer Lingus routes announced from Cork within the last 12 months to six.

Aer Lingus Summer 2026 Schedule Highlights

As part of the Irish flag carrier’s 2026 Summer schedule, Aer Lingus will operate its popular summer sun services to:

• Málaga

• Faro

• Tenerife

• Lanzarote

• Palma de Mallorca

• Bilbao

• Bordeaux

Furthermore, the schedule includes daily services to London Heathrow and Aer Lingus Regional services to Bristol and Glasgow.

Discover Nice: The Jewel of the Côte d’Azur

Nestled on the French Mediterranean coastline, Nice is the heart of the Côte d’Azur.

• Iconic Sightseeing: Visitors can stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, the city’s most iconic seafront stretch overlooking the clear, blue waters of the Baie des Anges.

• Culture: The colourful, winding, narrow streets and alleyways of the old town (Vieux Nice) are a major draw. Art enthusiasts can explore the Marc Chagall National Museum and the Matisse Museum.

• Cuisine: Summer in Nice offers attractive temperatures, ranging from $20^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $27^{\circ}\text{C}$. Visitors can sample local delicacies like:

  • Socca (a golden, crisp pancake made from chickpea flour)

  • Pissaladière (a savoury tart topped with caramelised onions and anchovies)

  • Tourte de blettes (a pie filled with chard, raisins, and pine nuts)

  • The world-famous Salad Niçoise

• Wider Region: Flying into Nice, visitors can easily travel further along the Côte d’Azur to Cannes, Antibes, or even venture on a day trip to the principality of Monaco.

Aer Lingus Schedule to Nice:

• Frequency: Twice weekly

• Days: Wednesday and Saturday

• Dates: May 6, 2026, through September 30, 2026

Explore Santiago de Compostela: The Spiritual Gateway

Santiago de Compostela is a city steeped in spirituality and culture, best known as the final stop on the world-renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

• Historic Centre: Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets leading to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Santiago, constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries.

• Culture & Cuisine: Beyond its religious significance, Santiago is home to lively tapas bars and traditional Galician cuisine, including the famous tarta de Santiago (almond cake), alongside a unique folk music culture.

• Galicia Region: Santiago is the gateway to the wider Galicia region, with historic links to both the Celt and Roman civilisations.

  • The bustling port cities of A Coruña and Vigo are a convenient train journey away.

  • Cape Finisterre (or “Fisterra”), known to the Romans as the “end of the world,” boasts some of the most remarkable coastal scenery on mainland Europe.

Aer Lingus Schedule to Santiago de Compostela:

• Frequency: Twice weekly

• Days: Monday and Thursday

• Dates: June 1, 2026, through October 22, 2026

Prague Service Extends to Year-Round

Aer Lingus' popular Prague service, which began on October 23 last, will now extend to a year-round service.

• Frequency: Twice weekly

• Days: Monday and Thursday

• Dates: Operating through October 22, 2026

Executive Comments

Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, welcomed the exciting news:

“Christmas has come early for us here at Cork Airport as we announce two new routes for summer 2026 with our friends at Aer Lingus. Nice and Santiago de Compostela are two fantastic cities, and both open up the options for visitors to explore the wider regions surrounding them – whether that is the Côte d’Azur or Galicia. Prague is an amazing Christmas market and summer destination and wonderful to see it going year-round. We are delighted to see Aer Lingus expanding and freshening their offering from Cork. They have a loyal customer base who will only travel Aer Lingus and insist on Cork, and these new routes will delight that loyal base and more.”

Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, added:

“Aer Lingus customers in Cork and southern Ireland now have even more destinations to choose from as Nice and Santiago de Compostela join our European network. Both destinations are rich in culture, cuisine, and offer charm in abundance. With Prague also moving to a year-round service, we’re ensuring our customers have even greater flexibility and choice next summer.”