06/01/2003

BIA introduce new Scottish route

A new airline operator has stepped in to take over the Belfast to Aberdeen route after British Airways revealed that it was withdrawing the service.

The newly formed Eastern Airways takes over the route from British Airways CitiExpress, flying directly from Belfast International Airport (BIA) to the north east of Scotland.

Commenting on BIA's new arrivals, BIA managing director Albert Harrison said: "We are delighted to welcome Eastern Airways to Belfast International Airport and to be able to provide the NI traveller with continuity of the Aberdeen route, when BA CitiExpress withdraws from the marketplace.

"This is obviously excellent news for the consumer, maintaining the option for the Northern Ireland business and leisure traveller to travel on non-stop daily services to Aberdeen, and increasing the options for inbound business and tourism to Northern Ireland. We look forward to developing our relationship with Eastern Airways over the coming months.

"BIA is experiencing a surging growth in service at the moment and we are looking forward to a busy 2003 with the introduction of further new airlines and routes to Northern Ireland."

Eastern's Aberdeen route is the third new route announced in a week for BIA, alongside easyjet's new services to both Gatwick and Newcastle.

A twice-daily service will start on March 30, to Newcastle, offering Northern Ireland passengers low-cost access to the north east England for the first time as well as a three times daily service to Gatwick starting next month.

(MB)

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