Ryanair To Open New Base In Belfast

Airline Ryanair has confirmed it will open a new base at Belfast International Airport.

The base, which will operate four return flights per day, is to open in March this year.

750 new jobs are also expected be created.

Belfast International Airport Managing Director, Graham Keddie, said: "This is a most welcome announcement. The jobs and investment are considerable and amount to a valuable inward investment at low or no cost to the taxpayer.

"The full range of destinations to be served by Ryanair will be revealed later in the year, but from an airport perspective, the potential to add more than one million additional passengers will have a dramatic effect on our business.

"We already offer great choice to passengers through our established airlines, and Ryanair will reinforce that offer. Ryanair's return to Belfast is good news for the region. It will enhance the overall Belfast-London Gatwick service and establish it as the leading and most important London ‘gateway’ from Northern Ireland, eclipsing Heathrow in terms of frequency of service and seat capacity.

"Hopefully, we won't have too long to wait before this growth-focused airline helps us with new and badly-needed routes to key European markets not already served from here."

Chairperson of the Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Patsy McGlone MLA said: "This multi-million pound expansion offers serious potential for tourism and business here and is expected to add one million passengers using Belfast International Airport every year. Along with the 750 new jobs immediately created by the airline, it could also help develop the Aldergrove site and the surrounding area creating even more jobs.

"Over the years we have seen more and more passengers choosing to travel to and from Dublin which has offered a more frequent and cheaper flights. The first confirmed route to Gatwick from the famed budget airline will put Belfast in the same league as Dublin for commuters traveling to Ireland from London. It will offer more choice to very discerning consumers.

"Air routes to the North that are not only functional but competitive will be vital if we are serious about attracting foreign direct investment. The Executive should prioritise lowering air passenger duty to add further incentive; it is a key reason why we have been losing out to Dublin for over a decade."

South Antrim Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan, said: "I wish to welcome this heart-warming and very positive development. The jobs, investment and route development are crucial for my constituency and the regional economy and the impact cannot be over-stated.

"This will power growth at the International Airport. It will lead to at least one million additional passengers, which means that it's highly likely the airport will set a new record this year.

"All of those involved in delivering this significant development are to be congratulated. It is so vital that we continue to increase Northern Ireland’s links to other economies and today’s announcement provides more options for people wanting to travel here, whether for business or as tourists.

"I will also be lobbying the DRD Minister to ensure that transport links to and from the International Airport are firmly on her radar. There is now a stronger case for dualling from the M2 to the Airport and for improvements to be made to the A26 from the Moira roundabout. I also hope she will continue to progress the Rail Investment Prioritisation Strategy published by Danny Kennedy during his time in office which highlights the potential of a rail link to the International Airport."

(CD)





(CD)