New Belfast flights to Prague, Canaries and Salzburg

LOW-cost airline easyJet has announced three new routes from Belfast International Airport to Fuerteventura, Prague and Salzburg.

The flights will go on sale tomorrow and bring easyJet’s number of routes from Belfast to 32.

Flights to the Czech Republic capital will begin on October 29 operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

The airline estimates that 11,100 customers will use the route during the first winter. The new service to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, which takes off on October 31, is expected to carry 13,000 customers this winter. Flights will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

And the flights to Salzburg in Austria, starting on December 13, are now on sale.

They will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

Last month the airline said it was adding its sixth aircraft to its Belfast International base. Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK coun- try manager, commented: “As Northern Ireland’s largest airline, we are pleased to further strengthen our network at Belfast with these three new routes which we believe will prove popular additions to our existing network.

“We have operated flights to and from Belfast International Airport for over 18 years and remain committed to expansion at the airport.

“In support of this, last month, we based an additional aircraft at the airport, enabling us to deliver long-term, sustainable growth and provide passengers with a greater range of destinations, all with low fares and great service.”

Belfast International Airport business development director Uel Hoey added: “easyJet’s announcement is a tremendous boost for Northern Ireland.

“This is a win-win for the airline, airport and Northern Ireland. It will be good for city breaks, in-bound tourism, winter sun and ski.

“These three new routes bring to an all-time high the number of routes served by easyJet from Belfast International Airport. Sevennewroutesareadirectresult of easyJet’s decision to base a sixth aircraft with us.”

Christopher Losmann, senior vice president aviation and sales, at Salzburg Airport, said: “easyJet has been a reliable airline partner since December 2008 and has flown about 830,000 passengers to and from Salzburg.

“From the new route, we not only expect winter vacation guests coming to Salzburg and surroundings, it will bring many passengers from Salzburg and Bavaria to Belfast.”