A low cost airline is celebrating its inaugural operations at George Best Belfast City Airport by giving its customers an 'Xtra' special flight experience.

From this month, bmibaby customers flying out of and into Belfast City Airport are being welcomed on board by one of the most recognisable voices in the UK – the X Factor voiceover man, Peter Dickson, (pictured here) who hails from Dundonald near Belfast.

Using his booming tones, Peter has recorded some on board announcements for bmibaby that will be played on flights to and from Belfast City Airport.

To mark the start of bmibaby services at Belfast City Airport, the 'invisible star' with the most iconic voice in show business will help the airline put the fun back into flying by making a personal appearance on board one of its flights.

Peter Dickson said: "As a Belfast man at heart it's an absolute delight to be working with bmibaby to help celebrate their move to Belfast City Airport and to bring some New Year cheer to customers flying in and out of Northern Ireland at the same time.

"I also look forward to getting to meet some of bmibaby's customers in person this week. You never know what new catchphrases I will be able to mastermind with their help during the course of the flight."

The move by bmibaby to Belfast City Airport aims to bring more convenient services to business and leisure customers wishing to travel from the heart of Belfast to key cities within the UK. The airline currently flies from Belfast City Airport to East Midlands, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff, and from 28th March, it will commence services to London Stansted.

Julian Carr, Managing Director, bmibaby, said: "We're delighted that bmibaby has now started operations from Belfast City Airport and who better to help us celebrate with our customers than a Northern Irish man with a big TV voice, Peter Dickson.

"The move is so exciting that we felt Peter could help us mark the occasion in a fun and memorable way.

"We hope that our customers will share in our excitement as they will now have the chance to benefit from a low cost offering with bmibaby to the regions and to London Stansted and a full service offering with bmi to London Heathrow.

"This means the bmi group will offer customers up to 105 flights a week, providing increased choice, competitive prices and convenient flight times," he enthused.

(GK/BMcC)