Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Germany Welcomes Direct Flights From Ireland As Shannon Launches New Route To Frankfurt, With Global Links Across Europe, Asia, Africa, And America
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Germany is set to welcome a new era of air connectivity as Shannon Airport in Ireland launches direct flights to Frankfurt, responding to growing demand for stronger ties between the two nations. This new route not only enhances travel options for both leisure and business passengers between Ireland and Germany, but also provides seamless access to global destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and America through Frankfurt’s extensive international hub, making it a strategic move that boosts regional tourism, trade, and global mobility.
Shannon Airport will broaden its European network in April 2026 with the introduction of a nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany. Operated by Discover Airlines, a member of the Lufthansa Group, the new route reinforces Shannon’s role as a major international access point on Ireland’s west coast.
Starting April 4, 2026, Shannon Airport will operate direct flights to Frankfurt twice a week, with services scheduled every Saturday until October 24 and every Thursday between May 14 and September 24. Passengers can expect a smooth and quick two-hour flight aboard the Airbus A320-200, an aircraft well-suited for short to mid-range routes. The addition of this route will introduce more than 16,700 seats to Shannon’s summer capacity, providing greater convenience and more travel options for both departing and arriving passengers.
The addition of Frankfurt to Shannon’s route map marks a strategic milestone in enhancing Ireland’s connectivity with mainland Europe. Frankfurt, as Germany’s busiest airport and one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, serves as a gateway to over 300 destinations worldwide. Through this new route, passengers flying from Shannon can now link directly into the vast Lufthansa Group network. That includes streamlined connections to other cities across Germany and broader access to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
This isn’t just a win for international travelers heading overseas—Frankfurt also offers efficient rail and regional flight links throughout central Europe. By aligning the new service with onward departure windows, the schedule from Shannon ensures that travelers can make easy afternoon and evening connections. Coordinated schedules and multimodal transit options, such as air-to-rail transfers, simplify the travel experience even further.
As a destination in itself, Frankfurt offers more than just a stopover. It ranks among the world’s leading financial centers and serves as the financial capital of Germany. The city hosts the headquarters of major institutions and corporations, making it an important destination for business travel. However, it also attracts a growing number of leisure visitors who are drawn to its eclectic blend of modern skyline and historic neighborhoods.
Travelers exploring Frankfurt will find a city that merges innovation with tradition. Glass-clad skyscrapers rise beside medieval timber-framed buildings, and the River Main flows past both buzzing business districts and tranquil riverside parks. Cultural attractions include world-class museums along the Museumsufer, contemporary art galleries, and historic sites such as the Goethe House and Römerberg Square. Meanwhile, the city’s culinary scene spans everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy cafés serving regional specialties.
This new connection allows Shannon Airport to establish itself as a key departure hub not only to Germany but to the heart of Europe’s economic and cultural landscape. Travelers flying out of Ireland’s west coast now have a faster, more direct path to attend business meetings, trade events, and conferences in Frankfurt and surrounding cities. Meanwhile, visitors from Germany gain easier access to Ireland’s scenic Wild Atlantic Way, opening the door to increased tourism and new opportunities for local growth in the region.
Discover Airlines will operate the flights using the Airbus A320-200, known for its comfort and fuel efficiency. Each flight offers a smooth two-hour trip, reducing the hassle of transfers or lengthy layovers. The route is designed to offer a balanced schedule that supports weekend getaways as well as mid-week business travel.
This development continues Shannon Airport’s broader mission to expand its route portfolio and improve international access. Over the past years, the airport has steadily built connections to major hubs across Europe and North America, and the inclusion of Frankfurt further cements its role in global aviation.
The launch of the new Frankfurt service responds to rising interest in both business and holiday travel between Ireland and Germany. As industries like technology, finance, and education continue to strengthen cross-border partnerships, dependable air links have become increasingly vital. This new route gives Irish passengers direct access to the heart of Europe while offering German travelers a convenient gateway to explore Ireland’s scenic west coast.
The timing of the new service fits perfectly within peak travel months, making it attractive for summer tourists, business delegations, and diaspora members planning trips back home. The twice-weekly frequency allows for short trips and longer stays alike, with the Saturday and Thursday departures offering flexibility across multiple itineraries.
By linking Shannon to Frankfurt, Discover Airlines adds valuable seat capacity, improves travel efficiency, and enhances regional access. The route strengthens ties between Ireland and one of Europe’s most important transportation and business centers while offering a practical option for anyone planning a visit to central Germany.
Travelers flying out of Shannon will now benefit from the convenience of fewer connections, reduced travel times, and a wider range of global destinations—all accessible through a single stop in Frankfurt. As Shannon continues to grow its flight offering, partnerships like this one with Discover Airlines illustrate the airport’s commitment to offering more choice, better connectivity, and world-class service to the west of Ireland.
Shannon Airport’s new direct route to Frankfurt strengthens travel between Ireland and Germany while offering global access across Europe, Asia, Africa, and America through one of the world’s busiest international hubs.
With the launch of this new direct route, Shannon Airport sets the stage for a dynamic summer season in 2026—one that promises to connect Ireland’s west coast to new markets, fresh opportunities, and vibrant destinations across Europe and beyond.
