Cork Airport is celebrating following the long-awaited announcement that the US Department of Transportation has granted a licence to Norwegian Air International to operate the first direct transatlantic flights between Cork and the United States.

Norwegian plans to launch with a new Cork-Boston service and is also intending to operate a Cork-New York route subsequently.
 
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said: “This is momentous news for air travellers on both sides of the Atlantic. It’s great news for Open Skies and for consumer choice and competition. I firmly believe this will permanently transform the transatlantic market in Ireland and further afield for the better. Norwegian will do for transatlantic travel what Ryanair has done for European travel, bringing lower fares, increased competition and growth to the overall market.
 
“There has been a tremendous amount of work undertaken to secure this route on both sides of the Atlantic and we must acknowledge the huge support received from political, business and local government stakeholders in Ireland, the EU and US. The final stages of the process have seen a significant contribution and support from the public too and I want to thank everyone who helped make this happen.
 
“These flights will help grow inbound tourism, give Cork Airport’s passengers greater choice, attract more investment to the region and improve social and cultural ties between Ireland and the US. We expect Boston bound flights to take off in coming months with New York flights beginning soon afterwards. Securing a transatlantic service for Ireland’s second largest airport has been an aspiration of ours for some time and Norwegian Air’s service will be welcomed by business and leisure travellers throughout the region.”
 
daa Chief Executive Kevin Toland said he was delighted that the process to allow Norwegian to begin services from Cork had finally been completed. “daa has been working closely with Cork Airport over many months to advance obtaining permission for Norwegian to operate transatlantic services and we also had great support for this new route both in Ireland and the United States.”
 
Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, added: “Transatlantic flights from Cork Airport has always been a top priority for businesses in Cork who will now see ease of doing business in the American market as new opportunities to attract business to Cork. These new flights will also unlock a whole new tourism market with economic benefits for all Ireland South, and we encourage all business and leisure users in the region to make full use of this excellent offering.”
 
The announcement clears the way for Norwegian Air International to commence its transatlantic services and it is expected that tickets for the Cork – Boston route will go on sale in the near future.