07/08/2007
First Minister Welcomes New Aer Lingus Flights
The First Minister for Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, has today welcomed the announcement of new Aer Lingus routes from Belfast International Airport.
Aer Lingus have announced that Belfast International Airport will become their new hub for the UK travel market.
The airline is set to fly to eight European cities from the Antrim-based airport, and one of the new destinations that Aer Lingus will fly to from Belfast is London Heathrow.
However, the commencement of this service will coincide with the ending of the airline’s Shannon to Heathrow service, with expected job losses.
First Minister Ian Paisley said: “This is great news for Northern Ireland. It is another shining example of how competitive our economy is becoming. As with other recent announcements, there was stiff competition from another region to secure this deal. Much praise must therefore go to Aer Lingus and Belfast International Airport for their commitment to Northern Ireland.”
The Irish airline will base three aircraft in Belfast and more than 100 new jobs will be created as a result of this decision - and more aircraft are set to follow as additional routes are added.
Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to one million new passengers to the airport every year.
The First Minister said: “Improving our economy is one of our key priorities and today’s announcement represents a massive boost. Reinstating the crucial Northern Ireland-Heathrow route is immensely significant for businesses, and will serve to strengthen our linkages within the UK economy, which is the fourth largest in the world ”
The eight new destinations will include Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva and the first flights to these destinations will begin in December.
The London Heathrow service will begin in January with flights to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome, beginning in February.
Aer Lingus chose Belfast International over Birmingham and the initiative has become the second Irish investment in Northern Ireland within two weeks.
On July 26, Bank of Ireland confirmed that it was creating 149 financial services posts in a Belfast-based centre focusing on hedge funds.
(SB/KMcA)
Aer Lingus have announced that Belfast International Airport will become their new hub for the UK travel market.
The airline is set to fly to eight European cities from the Antrim-based airport, and one of the new destinations that Aer Lingus will fly to from Belfast is London Heathrow.
However, the commencement of this service will coincide with the ending of the airline’s Shannon to Heathrow service, with expected job losses.
First Minister Ian Paisley said: “This is great news for Northern Ireland. It is another shining example of how competitive our economy is becoming. As with other recent announcements, there was stiff competition from another region to secure this deal. Much praise must therefore go to Aer Lingus and Belfast International Airport for their commitment to Northern Ireland.”
The Irish airline will base three aircraft in Belfast and more than 100 new jobs will be created as a result of this decision - and more aircraft are set to follow as additional routes are added.
Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to one million new passengers to the airport every year.
The First Minister said: “Improving our economy is one of our key priorities and today’s announcement represents a massive boost. Reinstating the crucial Northern Ireland-Heathrow route is immensely significant for businesses, and will serve to strengthen our linkages within the UK economy, which is the fourth largest in the world ”
The eight new destinations will include Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva and the first flights to these destinations will begin in December.
The London Heathrow service will begin in January with flights to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome, beginning in February.
Aer Lingus chose Belfast International over Birmingham and the initiative has become the second Irish investment in Northern Ireland within two weeks.
On July 26, Bank of Ireland confirmed that it was creating 149 financial services posts in a Belfast-based centre focusing on hedge funds.
(SB/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 October 2007
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
The latest news on the controversal Aer Lingus move to a Belfast operation - closing the Shannon-Heathrow route - is that its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is to provide three additional daily flights to London from Shannon Airport to ensure capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of the closure.
Ryanair Hits Out As Aer Lingus Takes Flight
The latest news on the controversal Aer Lingus move to a Belfast operation - closing the Shannon-Heathrow route - is that its biggest rival (and ironically, its biggest shareholder), Ryanair is to provide three additional daily flights to London from Shannon Airport to ensure capacity and traffic does not fall as a result of the closure.
05 May 2021
New Route Announced From Belfast To Cardiff
A new route from Belfast City Airport to Cardiff is to launch this summer. Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus Regional routes, confirmed flights to the Welsh capital will commence on 28 June and will operate up to four times a week.
New Route Announced From Belfast To Cardiff
A new route from Belfast City Airport to Cardiff is to launch this summer. Stobart Air, operator of Aer Lingus Regional routes, confirmed flights to the Welsh capital will commence on 28 June and will operate up to four times a week.
08 July 2022
New Aer Lingus Services Now Operating From City Airport
Two new Aer Lingus services to Cardiff and Southampton have begun operating from George Best Belfast City Airport. The new routes, operated by Emerald Airlines, provide passengers with additional choice and frequency when connecting with Wales and the south coast of England.
New Aer Lingus Services Now Operating From City Airport
Two new Aer Lingus services to Cardiff and Southampton have begun operating from George Best Belfast City Airport. The new routes, operated by Emerald Airlines, provide passengers with additional choice and frequency when connecting with Wales and the south coast of England.
10 October 2007
Plot Thickens As Aer Lingus Pilots Play Their Ace
Despite the suspension of five pilots at Aer Lingus, the threat of a possible strike has receded. Management carried out its threat to begin suspending pilots refusing to train new recruits in a dispute over pay and conditions for the airline's planned new hub at Belfast.
Plot Thickens As Aer Lingus Pilots Play Their Ace
Despite the suspension of five pilots at Aer Lingus, the threat of a possible strike has receded. Management carried out its threat to begin suspending pilots refusing to train new recruits in a dispute over pay and conditions for the airline's planned new hub at Belfast.
02 June 2009
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies from two bases in Northern Ireland - has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies from two bases in Northern Ireland - has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.