Say “Sí” to Santiago de Compostela as new Aer Lingus route takes off from Cork Airport 

Say “Sí” to Santiago de Compostela as new Aer Lingus route takes off from Cork Airport 

• New Aer Lingus service from Cork to Santiago de Compostela will fly twice weekly (Monday, Thursday), from now through September 30. From October 1 – 23, it will fly on Wednesday and Saturday.

• Over 15,000 seats on sale between now and the end of October.

• Santiago de Compostela, the final stop on the epic Camino de Santiago trail, is the capital city of the Galicia region – famous for its green landscapes, delicious food and strong Celtic links. 

• Santiago de Compostela is the sixth new Aer Lingus route at Cork Airport since April last year and is the second route linking Cork to Northern Spain.

• Irish visitor numbers on the Camino increased by 5% in 2025 compared with 2024, according to figures published by the Camino Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela.

Cork Airport — June 2, 2026 — One of Spain’s most iconic, culturally diverse, scenic and spiritual regions is now within a short flight from Cork Airport as Aer Lingus’ inaugural service to Santiago de Compostela took off yesterday afternoon. EI858 departed shortly after 12:30, making it the second direct flight between Cork and Northern Spain added in the last two years.

Known as the spiritual heart of Galicia, visitors to Santiago de Compostela can wander through the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed old town, where ornate buildings, arcaded squares and historic monasteries surround the magnificent Catedral de Santiago, the main attraction and the final stop on the Camino de Santiago. This cathedral, which is believed to house the remains of Saint James (Santiago), draws visitors from across the world. Last year, the Camino de Santiago Pilgrims Office recorded more than 530,000 pilgrims completing the Camino – the highest figure ever recorded and a 6% increase on the previous year. Among the top 10 nationalities undertaking the pilgrimage, Irish pilgrims ranked eighth, with numbers up by 5% compared with 2024.

Summer in Santiago de Compostela offers mild and pleasant temperatures, typically ranging from 18°C to 25°C, and visitors can sample local specialties such as pulpo a la gallega (octopus served with paprika and olive oil), empanada gallega (a savoury pie filled with seafood, meat or vegetables), caldo gallego (traditional Galician soup with vegetables) or the famous Tarta de Santiago (a sweet almond cake dusted with icing sugar).

Flying into Santiago de Compostela, visitors can venture further afield to explore the beauty of Galicia’s rugged coastline, including the dramatic cliffs of Costa da Morte and Cape Finisterre or the pristine beaches of Pontevedra. The historic city of A Coruña, the charming fishing town of Combarro, or the vibrant port city of Vigo are all just a short bus or train journey away.

Santiago de Compostela is the second of two new Aer Lingus routes from Cork Airport this summer, following the new twice-weekly service to Nice in France which started in May. Santiago de Compostela is the sixth new route added by Aer Lingus at Cork Airport since April last year. 

The new route will also come as a further boost to inbound tourism. Spain is Ireland’s fifth-largest key source market for inbound visitors according to Tourism Ireland. Research also shows that outside of Dublin, the South-West region of Ireland is most popular with Spanish holidaymakers. Spanish visitors spend an average of 5.8 nights on the island of Ireland, and this new Aer Lingus service will make access even easier for Spanish tourists as they come to enjoy all that the South of Ireland has to offer. 

Speaking on the occasion of the first Aer Lingus Cork – Santiago de Compostela flight yesterday, Head of Aviation Business Development & Communications at Cork Airport, Tara Finn said: “Demand for the Camino seems to be growing every year, and the demographic is broadening as the experience becomes more popular. This new Aer Lingus route to Santiago de Compostela will provide excellent access to the beautiful Galicia region for our customers from across the south of Ireland, whether they are walking the Camino, exploring the historic city of Santiago, or enjoying the stunning coastline and cuisine that can be found in the region.”

Susanne Carberry, Chief Customer Officer at Aer Lingus, added: “We are delighted to welcome our new service from Cork to Santiago de Compostela, giving customers in the South of Ireland even more choice for their summer and autumn travel. This new route offers a direct connection to one of Spain’s most culturally rich and scenic regions, whether customers are drawn by its historic landmarks or eager to experience part of the iconic Camino de Santiago. At Aer Lingus, we are focused on offering convenient, great-value travel options, and the addition of Santiago, our sixth new route from Cork in the past year, is in response to strong demand for leisure and cultural travel.

Congratulating Cork Airport and Aer Lingus on the new Cork – Santiago de Compostela service, Laura Peña, Director of the Spanish Tourism Office (Dublin) said: “We are thrilled to see the launch of this new direct connection between Cork and Santiago de Compostela. This route will make it easier than ever for visitors in the South of Ireland to experience the unique charm of Galicia, from Santiago’s iconic cathedral and historic old town to the region’s breathtaking coastlines and renowned gastronomy. With its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality, the North of Spain offers something truly special, and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors from this part of Ireland thanks to this exciting new link. 

Hailing the route as a further boost to inbound tourism, Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork said: “Visit Cork warmly welcomes this second new Aer Lingus route to Cork Airport this summer. The new service from Santiago de Compostela will make it even easier for visitors from Galicia to enjoy a holiday in Cork, where we are renowned for our exceptional food, stunning coastline, world-class golf and scenic coastal touring. With flights operating every Monday and Thursday, the route also offers the perfect opportunity for a short city break, alongside visits to popular towns such as Kinsale, Cobh and Midleton.”