EasyJet is ramping up operations from Northern Ireland, with 140,000 additional seats from its Belfast airports.
The airline is filling the domestic capacity previously served by Flybe, which collapsed in January 2023. According to easyJet, it now operates more seats on domestic flights than any other UK carrier.
The airline has also announced two new year-round routes from Belfast City to London Luton and Manchester, set to launch on June 26 with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
EasyJet has expanded its offering at Belfast City over the last two years since it relaunched operations in 2021. The new routes will join the airline’s existing services from the city airport to Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and London Gatwick.
The low-cost carrier will also be basing an aircraft in Belfast City overnight from June, enabling the airline to provide a new 0700 departure to London Gatwick. This will mean that the airline will operate four flights per day between Belfast City and London from next summer.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said:
“We know how important it is to support UK connectivity so people can visit friends and loved ones, do business, and explore more of what the UK has to offer, so we are delighted to be providing customers with even more direct and convenient domestic connections that we know will prove popular for business and leisure travellers alike, all with great value fares and friendly service.
“EasyJet offers more seats on UK domestic routes than any other carrier and we’re further strengthening our network from Northern Ireland today, by offering even more seats on key domestic routes and launching two new routes to serve customers travelling between Belfast City and the major hubs of London and Manchester.”
Katy Best, commercial director at Belfast City airport, added:
“The announcement of services to London Luton and Manchester from Belfast City airport is fantastic news for passengers, coming only six months after easyJet’s last route launch to Glasgow.
“In the space of 18 months, easyJet has increased its capacity and the number of routes operated to six, which is not only a testament to the strength of our partnership but also showcases our commitment to providing passengers with choice, convenience, and flexibility.
“EasyJet’s flights to London Gatwick, Liverpool, Bristol, and Glasgow have already proved a massive success and we look forward to welcoming more easyJet travellers through the terminal doors.”
EasyJet is also set to receive its eighth A320 aircraft at Belfast International this summer, as well as the launch of two new summer routes to the Greek island of Rhodes and Antalya in Turkey.
The airline now offers 36 routes to nine countries from its airports in Northern Ireland, having introduced services from Belfast in 1998.