Air France have announced they are opening a new route between Cork and Paris to be operated by Société HOP!, the regional subsidiary of the airline. Fares start at €59 one way including taxes which is quite competitive.
The route will be in direct competition with Aer Lingus who already serve these two airports. It will be an excellent connection for passengers transferring to Air France’s long haul network.
HOP! Schedule
Flights will commence on 26 May 2018 and will be once daily in each direction. The aircraft will be a 76 seat Embraer 170 which should provide enough comfort for the relatively short flight.
AF1094 will depart Paris Charles de Gaulle at 14:55 each day, arriving in Cork at 15:50. The return AF1095 will then leave Cork at 16:30, arriving in Paris at 19:20.
The Competition
By comparison, the Aer Lingus service departs Paris at 16:00, arriving in Cork at 16:40. Leaving Cork the flights depart at 12:40, arriving in Paris at 15:20. Fares on Ireland’s oldest airline are higher than the lead in fares HOP! is offering.
It is good to see a later departure from Cork which should be handy for people travelling between the two cities. Of course Aer Lingus operate Airbus A320’s on the route which may prove to be more comfortable.
Overall Thoughts
Another new route for Ireland which hopefully will prove to be successful. As long as prices remain competitive, people will use the service and the long haul connections are bound to be attractive to people.
Several SkyTeam carriers serve Ireland through Dublin, but I am not sure how big the frequent flyer base is. Most people in Ireland likely have an Aer Lingus or British Airways frequent flyer membership rather than a SkyTeam one.
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Featured image by Bene Riobó via Wikimedia Commons.
