Getting from Cork to the rest of the world just got a whole lot easier.

After weeks of uncertainty around the route, Cork Airport has confirmed that Lufthansa is officially bringing back its Frankfurt connection from June 1st — and it’s good news for anyone planning city breaks, backpacking trips or long-haul adventures.

The route will now operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays with larger Airbus A319 aircraft, meaning more seats and easier access to one of Europe’s biggest travel hubs.

And while Frankfurt might not scream “weekend away” for everyone, the real appeal here is what comes after it.

Because Frankfurt Airport is Lufthansa’s main global hub, Cork passengers can use the service to connect onto destinations across Asia, South America, the Middle East and loads of major European cities — all without having to trek up to Dublin first.

For younger travellers in particular, it’s a pretty big deal. Whether you’re planning an interrailing summer, a Thailand backpacking trip, or an Erasmus visit, having better international connections directly from Cork makes life a lot easier.

‘We are delighted to be back connecting to Frankfurt’

The route had originally launched back in 2021 and quickly became one of Cork Airport’s strongest European connections before uncertainty hit following the closure of Lufthansa Cityline last month.

Now, Lufthansa mainline is stepping in to continue the service — and with bigger planes too. The new Airbus A319 aircraft will carry 138 passengers, up from the previous 90-seat planes.

It’s also a huge boost for tourism in Cork and the south of Ireland, with Germany remaining one of Ireland’s biggest visitor markets. Research from Tourism Ireland shows the South-West is one of the most popular areas in the country for German tourists outside Dublin.

Basically: more flights, more travel options, and one less reason to endure the Dublin Airport bus.

Welcoming the positive news from Lufthansa, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, Tara Finn said: “We were hugely disappointed with the closure of Lufthansa Cityline and the grounding of 27 aircraft affecting many European cities, including Cork.

“On that basis, it is a testament to the strength of the South of Ireland market that Lufthansa (mainline) have elected to recommence the service using a different, larger aircraft type. We are delighted to be back connecting to Frankfurt from June onwards.”