Ryanair returns to Belfast

Graham Keddie, MD of Belfast International Airport, said: “This is a significant and far-reaching announcement by Ryanair”.

Ryanair is returning to Belfast International five years after closing its base due to delays to the airport’s runway extension.

Ryanair passengers now amount for 25% of total air traffic at both airports, reveals the company. Overall, it carried 7.5 million customers in December 2015, compared to 6 million for December 2014.

Nearly 179.4 million customers boarded Delta flights in 2015, according to the USA carrier, making it the world’s largest airline by passenger numbers.

“We already offer great choice to passengers through our established airlines, and Ryanair will reinforce that offer”.

A four times daily Gatwick service will maintain the slots given up by Aer Lingus at BIA.

“In addition, the promise of three based aircraft and five more new routes to be announced later in the year increases Northern Ireland’s reach and gives Belfast International a competitive edge”.

The airline flew about 800,000 passengers a year from the airport. “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”.

Reacting to Thursday’s news, SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said: “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”.