New flights to Newcastle from Belfast City
BELFAST City Airport has added a new regular direct flight to Newcastle.
Earlier this year Eastern Airways started its first scheduled services from the airport, with a link to the Isle of Man.
Now the airline will also connect Belfast to Newcastle with a daily weekday service that begins in September, with prices starting at £59 one-way.
Katy Best, commercial and marketing director at George Best Belfast City Airport, said: “Newcastle has always been a very popular destination for passengers and it is fantastic to once again be able to offer this route from Belfast City Airport.
“Eastern Airways has made a hugely positive impact on the Northern Ireland market since entering in March with its Isle of Man service, and we are delighted that the airline has recognised the market’s potential through the introduction of this flight to Newcastle.
“This announcement comes during what is an exciting period for Belfast City Airport following the positive momentum generated by co-hosting the Routes Europe conference, and we are confident of continuing to grow our UK and European route network further in the future.”
Mathew Herzberg, head of commercial at Eastern Airways, said: “This new non-stop service from Belfast City Airport is not only providing a convenient link to the busy commercial centre of Newcastle, but it’s also the gateway to the rest of the north east of England including Northumberland, Sunderland and Teesside.
“Our partnership with Flybe from the end of October will also offer greater connectivity on our Belfast City services from the Isle of Man and Newcastle.”
It’s a welcome boost for the airport, which has seen its passenger numbers declining. It saw overall passenger numbers fall by 9% in May, based on the same period a year earlier.
While numbers on certain routes, including Amsterdam, are up, sun routes such as Faro in Portugal tumbled by almost a quarter, falling to 8,250 passengers in May. Alicante also fell by 58% in May based on the same period a year earlier.
And British Airways is set to cut its weekday flights on the crucial Belfast to Heathrow route by one-third from the end of October.
The airline said the decision was part of its winter scheduling and would be reviewed ahead of the start of next year’s summer period.