Tourism Ireland (Germany) hosted a special industry and media event at Frankfurt Airport last evening to mark the resumption of Lufthansa’s direct service between Frankfurt and Cork, strengthening connectivity between Germany and the South of Ireland.
The event, delivered in partnership with Cork Airport, Visit Cork and Lufthansa, welcomed 50 leading German tour operators, travel agents and media representatives. From Cork, the delegation was led by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, along with representatives from Visit Cork, Cork Airport and a strong cohort of Cork-based hoteliers and tourism experience providers.
The event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Cork and the south of Ireland as a destination of choice for German visitors, highlighting the regions spectacular scenery, world-class food and culinary offering, fascinating history and unique visitor experiences. Germany is Ireland’s third-largest source market for inbound tourism, and the resumption of the Frankfurt – Cork service maintains key access for German holidaymakers when visiting the South of Ireland. The wider Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is home to over 5.8 million people and in 2025, Ireland welcomed a total of 433,000 visitors from Germany. Research by Tourism Ireland shows that after Dublin, the most popular region for German holidaymakers is the South-West (Cork, Kerry).
The restoration of Lufthansa’s Frankfurt – Cork service in early June followed intensive efforts by Cork Airport, Visit Cork and Tourism Ireland to secure its return. Initially introduced in 2021, the Frankfurt – Cork service had grown from strength to strength until the closure of Lufthansa subsidiary, Lufthansa Cityline in April of this year. The restoration of the service with Lufthansa (mainline) is testament to the popularity of the service for inbound tourism, along with being a vital link for business, trade and commerce.
Representing Cork Airport, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications, Tara Finn, said: “Lufthansa’s Frankfurt – Cork service is a significant driver of inbound tourism to Ireland, along with being a vital route for trade and commerce. Working together with Lufthansa, Tourism Ireland and Visit Cork, the joint promotional efforts will ensure that Cork, as a destination, is promoted well in the wider Frankfurt region. This initiative is key to kickstarting the restored Lufthansa mainline service.”
Leading the Cork delegation at the Tourism Ireland event, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, added: “Supporting Cork’s growth is a priority for this Government, and strong international connectivity is central to that ambition. The return of Lufthansa’s Frankfurt service is a major vote of confidence in Cork and will deliver lasting benefits for tourism, business and our wider regional economy. I want to acknowledge the commitment of Cork Airport, Lufthansa, Tourism Ireland, Visit Cork and all of the industry partners whose collaboration has made this possible.”
Citing the importance of the direct Frankfurt – Cork connection, Head of Visit Cork, Seamus Heaney, said: “Germany is Ireland’s third-largest source market for inbound visitors, and it is a market of incredible importance to Cork and the South of Ireland. The South-West of Ireland is the most popular region for German tourists, after Dublin. This collaboration between Tourism Ireland, Cork Airport and Visit Cork is to ensure that Cork remains as a destination of choice for German holiday makers. I’d like to thank Tourism Ireland, Lufthansa and Cork Airport for collaborating on this fantastic promotional opportunity.”