Lufthansa mainline resumes Frankfurt–Cork service from June using larger Airbus A319

Lufthansa is to resume its Frankfurt–Cork route from 1 June 2026, operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays using an Airbus A319, following the suspension of the service after the closure of regional subsidiary Lufthansa Cityline in April.

According to Ireland's Travel and Trade Network, Cork Airport entered talks with Lufthansa immediately after the Cityline closure and has now confirmed the resumption of the route, which will be operated by Lufthansa mainline rather than its regional arm and on a larger aircraft type than previously deployed.

Tara Finn, Head of Aviation Business Development and Communications at Cork Airport, said the resumption was a testament to the strength of the South of Ireland market. "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," she said. "We are delighted to be back connecting to Frankfurt from June onwards."

The closure of Lufthansa Cityline resulted in the grounding of 27 aircraft and affected routes across multiple European cities. The decision was driven by a combination of rising fuel costs and an industrial relations dispute within the carrier.

Frankfurt Airport is Germany's largest aviation hub and one of Europe's primary long-haul gateways, making the Cork–Frankfurt connection a significant route for both inbound tourism and business travel between Ireland and continental Europe. The restoration of the service using mainline Lufthansa capacity and a larger narrowbody aircraft suggests the German carrier views Cork as a viable standalone market beyond the regional feed model previously operated by Cityline.

Read the full story, including Cork Airport's response to the Cityline closure and details of the resumed schedule.