Cork Airport Managing Director Niall MacCarthy will lead a delegation of local business and tourism stakeholders on a trip to Boston/ Providence this Thursday (July 6) returning into Cork Airport early Saturday morning.

The delegation comprises Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, as well as representatives from Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork Business Association, Irish Hotels Federation, Cork City and County Councils, Irish Aviation Authority and local travel trade.

The purpose of the trip is to further forge links with counterparts in Providence and Newport in Rhode Island to help promote the new historic direct transatlantic route with Norwegian.

Niall MacCarthy commented: “While it may be a short trip to the US, we have arranged a full schedule of meetings on Friday as well as a formal reception with the Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, at the State Capital.  The trip is an excellent opportunity for us to build on the relationships that we have formed over the past number of years, when we have been trying to secure the route. There is tremendous desire in the US for direct access to the South of Ireland from both a business and tourism perspective.

“Now that this superb new service is up and running, it is crucially important that it is supported both here in Munster and in Rhode Island. For our part, we will do everything we can to ensure that both regions’ economies feel the benefits."

The delegation will fly out at 16:20 on Thursday, July 6 and return at 08:30 on Saturday, July 8.