Aer Lingus launches new Belfast to London service

A fourth daily flight to London Heathrow from Belfast International was launched today by Aer Lingus.

From March next year the airline will have four flights in each direction.

More than 1.3 million people have booked with Aer Lingus from their base in Belfast since operations began in December 2007.

Enda Corneille, the airline’s director of corporate affairs, said: “Our low fares have just become available more often for those travelling to London and of course for those coming here for business and pleasure.

“It’s particularly good for businessmen and women and for public representatives looking for greater flexibility in their travel arrangements.”

Aer Lingus invested more than €111m and employed 100 in servicing routes to Europe including Heathrow.

It was its first investment in a new base outside the Republic of Ireland and the company said it had proved a success.

Mr Corneille added: “We have brought much-needed competition to the Northern Ireland marketplace and passengers have voted with their feet and are flying with us in their droves.

“The combination of low fares and high quality service has proved popular.”

Earlier this year Aer Lingus said it was cutting flights out of Belfast and Dublin this winter to combat the economic downturn and a fall in passengers.

It is removing one of three planes operating out of Belfast International for four months until the beginning of March 2010.

Flights to Paris, Rome, Milan, Faro and Barcelona will be suspended for the winter.