Menu
22/02/2008
Airports Take Off
Any shortage of fixed transport facilities to and from Belfast International Airport - such as the now stymied rail link proposed by airline, Easyjet - hasn't prevented 'Aldergrove' from soaring to new levels.
In conjunction with the City of Derry Airport and The George Best International - formerly the Harbour Airport - the three airports combined have now reached new heights with 36 European and transatlantic destinations now available from the three airports between them.
This is quite a fillip as just five years ago, the only scheduled international flight from Northern Ireland was Belfast to Amsterdam.
This year, Ulster travellers can now touch down everywhere from eastern Europe to the US.
Katy Best, acting Business Development Director at George Best City Airport, said the explosion in offers from no-frills airlines means she’s braced for her busiest year.
"In our first year of operation we carried 84,000 passengers across six routes. By the end of 2008 – our 25th anniversary year – we expect to carry 2.7 million passengers to and from 28 destinations," she said.
The influx of up to 60,000 migrant workers into Northern Ireland and the arrival of budget carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair from the Republic has forced airlines to spread their wings and add new routes as competition hots up.
Aer Lingus trampled on the toes of rivals when it shifted its hub from Shannon in Limerick to Belfast International Airport.
Its £500,000 advertising campaign in Ulster unveiled an ambitious array of destinations and ensured tens of thousands of seats have been snapped up on its scheduled flights.
Meanwhile, as the summer season approaches, many hundreds of charter flights to sunshine destinations will top off those already in flight to ski holiday destinations.
(BMcC)
In conjunction with the City of Derry Airport and The George Best International - formerly the Harbour Airport - the three airports combined have now reached new heights with 36 European and transatlantic destinations now available from the three airports between them.
This is quite a fillip as just five years ago, the only scheduled international flight from Northern Ireland was Belfast to Amsterdam.
This year, Ulster travellers can now touch down everywhere from eastern Europe to the US.
Katy Best, acting Business Development Director at George Best City Airport, said the explosion in offers from no-frills airlines means she’s braced for her busiest year.
"In our first year of operation we carried 84,000 passengers across six routes. By the end of 2008 – our 25th anniversary year – we expect to carry 2.7 million passengers to and from 28 destinations," she said.
The influx of up to 60,000 migrant workers into Northern Ireland and the arrival of budget carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair from the Republic has forced airlines to spread their wings and add new routes as competition hots up.
Aer Lingus trampled on the toes of rivals when it shifted its hub from Shannon in Limerick to Belfast International Airport.
Its £500,000 advertising campaign in Ulster unveiled an ambitious array of destinations and ensured tens of thousands of seats have been snapped up on its scheduled flights.
Meanwhile, as the summer season approaches, many hundreds of charter flights to sunshine destinations will top off those already in flight to ski holiday destinations.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
27 November 2024
Pathway Fund Applications Open For Early Years Providers
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the opening of online applications for the Targeted Early Years Pathway Fund for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. The Pathway Fund, introduced in 2016, aims to provide early years education services for children aged 0-4 who may be at risk of falling behind in their education.
Pathway Fund Applications Open For Early Years Providers
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced the opening of online applications for the Targeted Early Years Pathway Fund for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. The Pathway Fund, introduced in 2016, aims to provide early years education services for children aged 0-4 who may be at risk of falling behind in their education.
16 October 2007
Sky's The Limit As Belfast Flight Destinations Take-Off
Local people lucky enough to have holiday property in destinations such as Spain’s Costa del Sol are in for a treat next year. Air passengers are set to benefit from an unprecedented airline price war brought about by the explosion in international routes from Northern Ireland.
Sky's The Limit As Belfast Flight Destinations Take-Off
Local people lucky enough to have holiday property in destinations such as Spain’s Costa del Sol are in for a treat next year. Air passengers are set to benefit from an unprecedented airline price war brought about by the explosion in international routes from Northern Ireland.
09 December 2010
Step-Up For Dungannon High Flyers
A high-flying local company that supplies boarding equipment to airports throughout the world has signed a lucrative deal that will also boost Ryanair's growing operation in Germany.
Step-Up For Dungannon High Flyers
A high-flying local company that supplies boarding equipment to airports throughout the world has signed a lucrative deal that will also boost Ryanair's growing operation in Germany.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
