easyJet announces huge expansion at Belfast

easyJet, Northern Ireland's largest low-fares airline, today unveiled plans to introduce four new direct European routes from Belfast International to Barcelona, Gdansk, Prague and Venice.

The introduction of these four new routes will increase the number of easyJet destinations on offer from Belfast to 24 and will mean that the airline will base an additional aircraft at Belfast, bringing the number of aircraft to six. easyJet expects to carry over 140,000 passengers on these routes in the first 12 months.

easyJet has also increased frequencies on both its Krakow and Paris services from Belfast, the Krakow service will increase to five flights weekly whilst the Paris service will increase to eight flights weekly.

David Osborne, easyJet UK General Manager, commented:

"This is great news for Northern Ireland, the addition of the sixth based aircraft will provide the capacity for these four new routes to Barcelona, Gdansk, Prague and Venice, increasing the number of routes served by easyJet in Belfast to 24, cementing easyJet's commitment to the region.

Since easyJet began operations from Belfast nearly nine years ago, the travelling public in Northern Ireland no longer had to endure lengthy connections through London airports and can now fly directly to the main airports of Europe's major cities with easyJet's famously low fares"

John Doran, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said:

“Belfast International Airport is thrilled at this further major investment by easyJet. We have enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful relationship with easyJet over the past decade and are pleased to acknowledge this enhancement of choice for local travellers, as well as the huge vote of confidence it signifies in the Northern Ireland economy. We look forward to realising further exciting developments in future as a result of today’s initiative.”

The airline has not only provided Belfast with direct, low-cost flights to main city airports all across Europe but has also brought millions of visitors to the region providing investment in the local area allowing businesses to thrive. easyJet has carried over 20 million passengers to and from Belfast airport since it began operations almost 9 years ago, providing employment both directly and indirectly for over 20,000 people. In the last 12 months easyJet has carried over 3.4 million passengers to and from Belfast airport.