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07/08/2007
First Minister Welcomes New Aer Lingus Flights
The First Minister for Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, has today welcomed the announcement of new Aer Lingus routes from Belfast International Airport.
Aer Lingus have announced that Belfast International Airport will become their new hub for the UK travel market.
The airline is set to fly to eight European cities from the Antrim-based airport, and one of the new destinations that Aer Lingus will fly to from Belfast is London Heathrow.
However, the commencement of this service will coincide with the ending of the airline’s Shannon to Heathrow service, with expected job losses.
First Minister Ian Paisley said: “This is great news for Northern Ireland. It is another shining example of how competitive our economy is becoming. As with other recent announcements, there was stiff competition from another region to secure this deal. Much praise must therefore go to Aer Lingus and Belfast International Airport for their commitment to Northern Ireland.”
The Irish airline will base three aircraft in Belfast and more than 100 new jobs will be created as a result of this decision - and more aircraft are set to follow as additional routes are added.
Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to one million new passengers to the airport every year.
The First Minister said: “Improving our economy is one of our key priorities and today’s announcement represents a massive boost. Reinstating the crucial Northern Ireland-Heathrow route is immensely significant for businesses, and will serve to strengthen our linkages within the UK economy, which is the fourth largest in the world ”
The eight new destinations will include Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva and the first flights to these destinations will begin in December.
The London Heathrow service will begin in January with flights to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome, beginning in February.
Aer Lingus chose Belfast International over Birmingham and the initiative has become the second Irish investment in Northern Ireland within two weeks.
On July 26, Bank of Ireland confirmed that it was creating 149 financial services posts in a Belfast-based centre focusing on hedge funds.
(SB/KMcA)
Aer Lingus have announced that Belfast International Airport will become their new hub for the UK travel market.
The airline is set to fly to eight European cities from the Antrim-based airport, and one of the new destinations that Aer Lingus will fly to from Belfast is London Heathrow.
However, the commencement of this service will coincide with the ending of the airline’s Shannon to Heathrow service, with expected job losses.
First Minister Ian Paisley said: “This is great news for Northern Ireland. It is another shining example of how competitive our economy is becoming. As with other recent announcements, there was stiff competition from another region to secure this deal. Much praise must therefore go to Aer Lingus and Belfast International Airport for their commitment to Northern Ireland.”
The Irish airline will base three aircraft in Belfast and more than 100 new jobs will be created as a result of this decision - and more aircraft are set to follow as additional routes are added.
Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to one million new passengers to the airport every year.
The First Minister said: “Improving our economy is one of our key priorities and today’s announcement represents a massive boost. Reinstating the crucial Northern Ireland-Heathrow route is immensely significant for businesses, and will serve to strengthen our linkages within the UK economy, which is the fourth largest in the world ”
The eight new destinations will include Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva and the first flights to these destinations will begin in December.
The London Heathrow service will begin in January with flights to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome, beginning in February.
Aer Lingus chose Belfast International over Birmingham and the initiative has become the second Irish investment in Northern Ireland within two weeks.
On July 26, Bank of Ireland confirmed that it was creating 149 financial services posts in a Belfast-based centre focusing on hedge funds.
(SB/KMcA)
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