A petition has been launched for direct flights to be reinstated between Cork and Bristol Airport. Flights between the two centres stopped in June 2021 when Stobart Air collapsed and Aer Lingus took over regional flights, which did not include Bristol to Cork.
Launching the petition, Stephen Sage from Cork said flights had since been operating only from Dublin to Bristol. He said: “So, at this time there is no flight connecting the South West of Ireland and the South West of England, although this regular service was well used for many years in the past.
“There is no easy route for family, friends, business people or tourists to travel to and from Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford on the one hand and Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and South Wales on the other. Aside from any personal considerations, and there are many for many of us, this must be having an impact on businesses that depend on visitors in both regions."
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He added that he had regularly used the connection. The journey, which used to take four hours to visit family in the South West, now takes up to 12 hours.
He hoped that launching the petition would “give focus to a lot of people’s dismay that these essential flights have not been resumed". He added: "Many people have made comments to airlines, airports, online groups and elected parliamentary representatives about how much these regional flights were valued, but the danger is that these can all be seen as lone individuals.”
A Bristol Airport spokesperson said they were unable to comment regarding speculation around airline routes and that any route announcements were planned with the relevant airline. An Emerald Airlines spokesperson said: "At this time, Emerald Airlines, exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services, does not operate this route.
"As we enter into the next stage of growth at Emerald Airlines, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to grow our route network, and so we will always consider ways to grow our services." The petition has so far been signed by over 150 people, with more adding to the signatures.
One person, commenting on the petition, said: "I live in Bristol and need to travel to Cork every 3 weeks. For me to travel to Bristol via Dublin is a nightmare so I end up driving to Rosslare. There is a very clear demand for flights between Bristol and Cork.
"The entire South West of England and South Wales is a substantial market for flights to and from Cork which is no longer being serviced. Many used the flights regularly. We understand that the airports themselves cannot click their fingers and magic up flights but there needs to be more marketing to airlines to provide a service which meets the significant demand."
Another added: “This is such an important route for the South West of England. A four hour door to door journey often turns into one with an overnight stay at present, due to flight times to Dublin, or travel to London airports.”
A third wrote: "I have close friends in Somerset who have been unable to visit since flights from Bristol to Cork stopped as they are not well enough for any longer journey."
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