Cork Airport is flying high after today’s announcement that the Icelandic low cost operator WOW air, a new airline to the region, is to commence a new Cork – Reykjavik service next year.

WOW’s new year-round service will also bring low-cost transatlantic connections from Cork to eight key destinations across the US and Canada.

WOW air’s one-way air fares to Reykjavik will start at €59.99 each way including taxes and charges. The airline will also provide easy and affordable access from Cork to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, New York City, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington DC, with fares starting as low as €149 each way.

The new service with WOW will start from May 19, 2017. The airline will operate four convenient weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the Summer 2017 season and will operate three weekly services during Winter 2017. The new service to the land of fire and ice will see an additional 66,000 seats available from Cork Airport next year.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome WOW air to Cork as our latest airline partner,” said Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy.

“The new service is fantastic news for outbound and inbound visitors, especially as it will offer very affordable transatlantic travel between Munster and North America.”
“Iceland itself is a stunning country that has become a hugely popular tourist destination in recent years. It is a country, not unlike our own, that is regarded for its culture, beautiful landscapes and friendly welcomes.”

However, MacCarthy believes the real potential for the new service is the access to low cost transatlantic travel; “Since it entered the market in 2011, WOW air has been providing very affordable air fares to popular destinations across the US and Canada. With the cost of a return ticket at just over €300, it now means that US travel is even more affordable and we expect there to be significant demand on both sides of the Atlantic.”

WOW air’s CEO, Skúli Mogensen said the airline was delighted to announce its new service from Cork. “We are delighted to add Cork Airport to the WOW air route network today. We’re keen to expand our services from Ireland and are delighted to offer further choice and value in travel through our expansion in Cork. As a significant business and leisure hub in Ireland, we have ambitious targets for our Cork services and we look forward to working with Niall and the team in Cork Airport to develop these exciting new routes,” he said.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland commented: “Today’s announcement is good news for tourism to Cork and the South of Ireland. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from Iceland, but this new service will also offer connectivity between North America and Cork. We look forward to co-operating with WOW air, Cork Airport and other tourism partners, to maximise the promotion of this new service from Reykjavik to Cork.”

Through the airline’s innovative WOW Stopover package, travellers have the option of enjoying a break in Iceland when flying across the Atlantic to or from any of its European and North American airports.

In recent years, Iceland has become a hugely popular tourist destination and has regularly featured in travel publications Top 10 list. As the island’s capital, Reykjavik is the main gateway to the island with plenty to do and see for visitors. But the real beauty of Iceland lies outside the city. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is one of the main reasons people visit Iceland, particularly during the winter, which is the best time to witness the dazzling natural light display. A dip in one of Iceland’s hot springs and the Blue Lagoon are also a must-do as well, as is a visit to the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and the Thingvellir national park.
 
WOW air is based at Keflavik International Airport and operates a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. Founded in November 2011, WOW air now serves 31 destinations across Europe and America and is constantly growing its route network. It began operations in Ireland in 2015 when it commenced a Dublin-Reykjavik service.

It is expected that WOW air's annual passenger growth will more than double this year to over 1.6 million, from approximately 740,000 in 2015. The airline was established by entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, whose extensive business background is largely in technology and telecoms in Iceland, Europe and North America.

Fares from Cork, Ireland to Reykjavik, Iceland one way incl. taxes and charges from:
Reykjavík  €59.99

Fares from Cork, Ireland to the US East Coast one way incl. taxes and charges from:
Boston  €149.99
Washington  €149.99
New York  €149.99

Fares from Cork, Ireland to the US West Coast one way incl. taxes and charges from:
Los Angeles  €179.99
San Francisco  €179.99
Miami  €179.99
Montréal  €149.99
Toronto  €149.99

The Cork route will be serviced by A320/A321 aircraft.