Ryanair Route Cuts from Cork Airport Disrupt Travel for Polish Community and Tourists
Cork Airport is set to lose direct flights to Rome and two Polish cities – Gdansk and Poznan – at the end of March, a move that will significantly impact both the large Polish community in the Munster region and Irish tourists. The decision by Ryanair, announced earlier this year and confirmed this week, stems from the airline’s relocation of aircraft capacity to other airports, citing “lower-cost options elsewhere across the network.”
The loss of the Gdansk route is particularly acute for the estimated 25,000 Polish citizens residing in Cork city and county. Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport is the third largest in Poland and serves as a primary gateway for many Poles travelling to and from the region. The cancellation disrupts established travel patterns and adds complexity and expense for those maintaining family and business ties.
“For many Poles residing in Cork, Gdansk serves as the primary gateway to Northern Poland,” stated campaign organizers responding to the route cuts. “The suspension of Ryanair’s direct flight route between Cork and Gdansk has had a profound impact on this vibrant community. Not only has it made travel more cumbersome and expensive, but it has also hindered family connections, professional opportunities, and cultural exchanges that are vital to maintaining our diverse society.”
The impact extends beyond the Polish community. The Cork-Rome route was also a popular choice for Irish tourists, offering convenient access to a major European destination. Cutting all three routes forces passengers to travel through Dublin or Shannon, adding both time and cost to their journeys. Over 40,000 passengers travelled on the Cork–Gdansk route last year alone, and almost the same number travelled to Rome, demonstrating the demand for these direct connections.
Local organizations are mobilizing to address the situation. Groups like the PolskaEire Slavic Festival Cork and other Polish community organizations have launched a petition urging Ryanair to reconsider its decision or encouraging other airlines to step in and fill the void. The campaign highlights the strong connections between Munster and Poland, built over 25 years of direct flights, and the potential profitability of these routes.
There is some hope that budget airlines like WizzAir might consider taking over the routes. However, Ryanair’s decision reflects a broader trend of airlines optimizing their networks based on cost considerations. A spokesperson for Ryanair stated the move aimed to make use of “lower-cost options elsewhere across the network.”
The route cancellations come as Ryanair shifts one of its four aircraft based at Cork Airport to Shannon for the winter season. While Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has expressed optimism about potentially returning a fourth aircraft to Cork this summer, the immediate impact remains the loss of these key routes.
The situation underscores the importance of regional connectivity for economic growth and tourism. Cork Airport has experienced strong growth in recent years, and direct flights are crucial for supporting both inbound tourism and outbound business travel. The loss of these routes represents a setback for the wider Southern economy.
The Polish community in Cork, representing a significant demographic within the county – as high as 15% of the population in towns like Millstreet – is particularly vulnerable to these changes. The increased travel burden will affect families, businesses, and individuals who rely on regular connections between Cork and Poland. Ireland is home to over 120,000 Poles, and County Cork hosts one of the highest concentrations, further emphasizing the importance of affordable and efficient travel options.
The flights to Poznań will end on , with the final flights to Gdańsk and Rome scheduled for . The campaign to restore these routes is gaining momentum, with supporters emphasizing the economic and social benefits of maintaining direct air links between Cork and both Poland and Italy.