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Aer Lingus move brings jobs boost Aer Lingus move brings jobs boost
(27 minutes later)
Aer Lingus is to create more than 100 new jobs with the launch of at least eight new flights from Belfast International Airport. Aer Lingus is to create more than 100 new jobs with the launch of new flights from Belfast International Airport.
Flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva will begin in December, followed by London Heathrow in January. Three aircraft will be based at the Aldergrove hub, flying to Amsterdam and London Heathrow, plus several other European cities.
The airline will commence services to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome the following month.
Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to 1m new passengers to the airport every year.Aer Lingus said its investment of £100m had the potential to bring up to 1m new passengers to the airport every year.
Company chief executive Dermot Mannion said Northern Ireland was becoming an increasingly popular destination for visitors from all over the world. Company chief executive Dermot Mannion said NI was becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.
"Belfast International Airport is the ideal location for the new Aer Lingus base, offering 24/7, all-weather operations and long runways capable of accommodating all current and future Aer Lingus development potential," he added."Belfast International Airport is the ideal location for the new Aer Lingus base, offering 24/7, all-weather operations and long runways capable of accommodating all current and future Aer Lingus development potential," he added.
Aer Lingus' schedule will be announced later on Tuesday.
It is understood it will include flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Geneva which will begin in December.
Flights to London Heathrow are expected to follow in January, with services to Budapest, Faro, Malaga and Rome starting the following month.
It's believed that Aer Lingus may launch transatlantic flights from Belfast Yvette Sharpiro
Aer Lingus chose Belfast over Birmingham for its new UK hub.Aer Lingus chose Belfast over Birmingham for its new UK hub.
Initially, three aircraft will be permanently based at Aldergrove, with more to follow as additional routes are added. DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said Aer Lingus' choice of Belfast International would be a boost for the economy and tourism.
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said Aer Lingus' choice of Belfast International as its UK hub would be a boost for the economy and tourism.
"I think they are looking to the future, they recognise that Northern Ireland is going to be one of the major growth areas," he said."I think they are looking to the future, they recognise that Northern Ireland is going to be one of the major growth areas," he said.
Most of the routes are already served by rival carriers such as Jet2 and Easyjet and a price war is anticipated.Most of the routes are already served by rival carriers such as Jet2 and Easyjet and a price war is anticipated.
It's believed that Aer Lingus may launch transatlantic flights from Belfast Yvette Sharpiro
"Competition for passengers will be fierce and travel industry experts say that prices will almost certainly tumble in the short term at least," said BBC NI business correspondent Yvette Shapiro."Competition for passengers will be fierce and travel industry experts say that prices will almost certainly tumble in the short term at least," said BBC NI business correspondent Yvette Shapiro.
"In the longer term, it's believed that Aer Lingus may launch transatlantic flights from Belfast.""In the longer term, it's believed that Aer Lingus may launch transatlantic flights from Belfast."