19/07/2012

Aer Lingus To Move To City Airport

Aer Lingus flights are to go from George Best Belfast City Airports as of the autumn.

The airline is switching its operations there from its former base at Belfast International Airport.

It will fly three flights daily in each direction to both London Heathrow and Gatwick.

From spring next year, it will also operate daily flights to Malaga, Spain and Faro, Portugal.

The airline's chef executive Christoph Mueller said it was a "commercial decision" with the aim of "delivering value for our customers and the company".

He said: "George Best Belfast City Airport delivers a compelling location and a strong history of business flying. We believe the move will appeal to the 600,000 plus passengers annually who fly with us and especially the business traveller."

John Doran of Belfast International Airport said the move was "bad news" for local travellers, as it would hamper Northern Irish attempts to compete with Dublin airport.

He said: John Doran said: "We have asked Aer Lingus why it has performed this U-turn, but so far we haven't heard any explanation that makes sense - save that they have been offered an implausibly low deal on charges by the airport to move there, and that they aspire to charging higher fares and commanding stronger yields as a result of flying from the City Airport."

City Airport lost its BMI Baby connections earlier this year.

(NE)

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