09/01/2017

Final Belfast To Newark Flight Departs From International Airport

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton has expressed disappointment after a final United Airlines flight departed Belfast for Newark on Monday, 09 January.

The airline has stopped its daily flights from the airport.

Minister Hamilton said: "It is deeply regrettable that today sees the departure from Belfast International Airport of United Airlines last direct flight to Newark. Along with the International Airport, the Executive agreed a package of financial support last summer that was aimed at maintaining this important business and tourism route. Unfortunately, that offer of assistance was thwarted by Brussels bureaucrats.

"I continue to work closely with the International Airport to explore other possible air routes to North America and I am pleased that we have been working together on some options. I also intend to announce the establishment of a new Air Routes Task Force in the coming weeks and that will help us to identify key routes that Northern Ireland's airports should be targeting and suggesting possible policy interventions and initiatives to attract airlines."

(CD/MH)




Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 November 2024
DfI Outlines Congestion Mitigation Measures In Belfast City Centre
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Belfast City Centre. A strategic oversight group, comprising the DfI, Belfast City Council, PSNI, and Translink, has been formed to identify and implement effective solutions to reduce peak-time delays.
25 November 2024
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
25 November 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With £150,000 Cannabis Seizure
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Unit, in partnership with Belfast Harbour Police, have made a significant breakthrough in their fight against drug crime. On Friday evening, November 22nd, a vehicle was intercepted and searched in the West Bank Road area of north Belfast.
22 November 2024
Winter's Den: A Festive Wonderland In Belfast City Centre
Belfast city centre is getting ready to spread some festive cheer with the opening of Winter's Den at 2 Royal Avenue. The former Tesco Metro has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland, offering a packed programme of free events and activities for people of all ages.
22 November 2024
Pedestrian Injured In Belfast Hit-and-Run
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a hit-and-run incident in the Botanic Avenue area of Belfast in the early hours of Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene shortly before 1.30am after a male pedestrian was struck by a maroon Mazda. Despite being injured, the pedestrian left the area before police arrived.