Easyjet Takes Off For Manchester

Budget carrier easyJet will launch new flights from Belfast International Airport to Manchester this autumn.

From 30 October, the airline's new flights will take off twice-daily will depart out of Belfast on Monday to Friday at 7.10am and 8.25pm, Saturday at 8.15am and 7.30pm and Sunday at 7.40am and 7.15pm.

easyJet has also confirmed that it will switch its Luton to Belfast flights back from Belfast City to Belfast International Airport as of 9 May.

The airline originally moved the flight to Belfast City in January last year, saying that it was to "assess if easyjet passengers find a benefit in flying to an airport closer to the City of Belfast when travelling on shorter routes".

Ali Gayward, easyJet Commercial Manager, said: "We believe it is a very good time to introduce the Manchester route.

"The city is increasingly becoming an important business centre and people will be able to complete a full day's work on arrival in Manchester.

"More people are now going to Manchester on short breaks and, of course, many football fans will be heading there for big matches, particularly at weekends," he said, also commenting on the easyJet move to operate its flights to London Luton from Belfast International Airport.

The airline transferred the Luton service to George Best Belfast City Airport in January last year, but said: "Moving to Belfast City Airport was always a trial, but in over a year we have seen no tangible benefits.

"Our 20 other routes operate from Belfast International and we will now consolidate our overall operation by re-establishing our Luton flights from there as well.

"Luton is a popular route for both business and leisure travellers, and dovetails well with our other London area services from Belfast International to Stansted and Gatwick," he continued.

Uel Hoey, Business Development Director at Belfast International Airport, said: "This is excellent news for the airport, the local employment market and the broader Northern Ireland economy."

(BMcC/GK)