04/10/2010

Airporter Opens City Centre Routes

There is to be a new bus service between NI's two main airports and Belfast city centre.

Despite the continuing recession and fears over this month's UK-wide cutbacks, coach operator, Airporter, has announced details of a new direct link between both Belfast airports and the Belfast Hilton Hotel and Waterfront Hall.

The new routes aimed at making travelling more convenient from the airports to and from the city centre were launched today.

The new service will operate 11 times daily between Belfast Hilton Hotel/Waterfront Hall and both George Best Belfast City and Belfast International airports - with passengers able to reserve their tickets using Airporter's online reservation system.

Airporter Managing Director, Niall McKeever, identified the opportunity to expand the company's route network. He says: "This new service will be appealing to those travelling from the airports who want direct access to the conferencing, legal and shopping heart of Belfast city centre.

"The Hilton Hotel and Waterfront Hall are two of Belfast’s preferred venues for conferences and business meetings so this service will be particularly attractive to those flying into Belfast on business.

"There currently isn't a direct bus service from either of these locations to the airports and we are confident that they will be a popular method of travel."

Carolyn Boyd, Industry Development Manager, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), who welcomed the new bus service too commented: "Not only does this new service provide a direct link from the airports to the heart of the city's financial centre but it is also bringing tourists to a stone's throw from some key destinations - Victoria Square shopping centre, St. George's Market, the Odyssey Arena and Central train station - also providing train access to Newry and Dublin," she commented.

Airporter is a family-run business, which already operates a bus service to and from Derry/Londonderry to George Best City Airport and Belfast International Airport and has been in business since 1996.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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

06 March 2020
Tourism Fears As New Deals Sought For Belfast City Airport
As the dust settles on the tarmac at George Best Belfast City Airport, fears over its future and the prosperity of local tourism remain after Flybe ceased operations on Thursday.
09 June 2011
No Funding For Galway Or Sligo Airports
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has today announced additional funding for regional airports for this year, and said financial support will continue to be available until the end of the year.
24 April 2017
Belfast Centre Of Aviation Industry
Belfast is the centre of the European aviation industry this week as the city hosts the three-day Routes Europe forum. Routes Europe brings together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to plan new flights and strengthen existing routes, meeting in a new location every year to highlight different markets to the aviation industry.
31 March 2017
NI Working With Aviation Industry To Increase International Flights
Belfast is to host the Routes Europe forum next month, which aims to bring new flights and improved international connections to Northern Ireland. The Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston, has welcomed that the prestigious event will be held in the city and he will be hosting a reception for delegates in Belfast City Hall.
17 December 2008
BAA Told To Sell Three Airports
The Competition Commission (CC) has confirmed that, subject to final consultation, it will require BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as Edinburgh airport.