Jet2 Resumes Belfast International Flights

Airline Jet2 has recommenced flights to and from Belfast International Airport, following a temporary cessation over "safety concerns".

The airline referred to "the current maintenance programme on the main runway" as the reason for the suspension of activity at Belfast International.

"We have today come to an agreement with the airport that we will now operate all our flights using the alternative North/South runway," a Jet2 statement said.

"This will take effect from Wednesday 10 April, until further notice. This decision follows close consultation with the airport and a detailed safety assessment conducted today. All our customers due to travel from Belfast International this week should go to the airport as normal.

"We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused however the safety of our customers is of paramount importance and we will not operate from Belfast International Airport’s main runway until the resurfacing has finished."

Jet2 is still advising customers and passengers to check its website at least 12 hours before the scheduled departure time.

The Ulster Unionist Party’s South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan expressed surprise following the initial decision to suspend operations.

"The International Airport is a massive asset to South Antrim and for any airline to cite safety concerns as a reason for transferring services to the City Airport is obviously a matter of great concern," he said.

"I do not know exactly what has prompted Jet2 to take this action, but I do know that there are a large number of other airlines who regularly fly in and out of the International Airport and they have not raised any misgivings."

"I have contacted the International Airport’s senior management regarding Jet2’s claims about safety during the runway maintenance programme, and I am absolutely confident that there is no way in which they would permit any airline to use the International if there was any doubt over safety."

jet2.com/info

(IT/CD)