Lufthansa calls halt to services between Cork Airport and Frankfurt 

Popular service becomes casualty of airline's decision to end 'Cityline' operations in Europe

German airline Lufthansa is to suspend its Cork-Frankfurt service as part of a decision by the airline to cease its Cityline operation.

German airline Lufthansa is to suspend its Cork-Frankfurt service as part of a decision by the airline to cease its Cityline operation.

Lufthansa said it is ceasing the Cityline services in Europe - which includes the Cork-Frankfurt service - with 27 aircraft removed from the  German carrier's schedule from Saturday. Lufthansa said the decision was accelerated due to the fuel crisis which has hit Europe's airlines and also by an industrial relations dispute at the airline. 

A Cork Airport spokesperson said that efforts are underway with Lufthansa and other airlines to try secure "timely reinstatement" of services to Frankfurt.

"For the period from now until the end of May, the suspension of several routes and reduction of frequencies is unfortunately unavoidable, including the Frankfurt-Cork service," the spokesperson said. "Lufthansa advise that the full Cityline flight schedule Europe-wide is currently under review and therefore a reliable assessment of the impact cannot be provided at this stage."

Since it first started operations at Cork Airport in 2021, the Lufthansa Cityline Frankfurt-Cork service had grown from strength to strength, connecting the two cities for the first time in 18 years. "Initially operating a three-times weekly service, it expanded to a four-times weekly service last year. This year, it was expected that the airline would operate a six-times weekly service.

"Lufthansa advise passengers with bookings on Lufthansa Cityline to contact the airline directly for further information. We are working directly with Lufthansa mainline and other airlines to secure the timely re-instatement of the Frankfurt service."

Lufthansa planned to phase out the Cityline fleet of older aircraft but recent global shocks and the industrial action at the airline prompted a decision to speed up the decision. Lufthansa has faced strikes by pilots and cabin crew in recent weeks.

"In view of significantly increased kerosene prices, which have more than doubled compared to the period before the Iran war, as well as rising additional burdens from labor disputes, the implementation of the corporate strategy is being partially accelerated," the company said.

Lufthansa will also reduce its long-haul capacity by six aircraft - four Airbus SE A340-600s and two Boeing Co. 747-400s - at the end of the summer flight schedule.