Fly Atlantic plans to bring budget transatlantic flights to Northern Ireland in 2024 establishing an important connection with the rest of the world.
A new budget airline, Fly Atlantic, has plans to bring 35 new routes to Belfast International Airport. This new venture will be an important connection for Northern Ireland and the rest of the world, including North America.
The airline aims to have these new routes established as soon as 2024. The routes will include long-haul flights to North America and short-haul flights within Europe.
This new airline will prove to be of significant impact on the tourism sector in Northern Ireland, as well as creating up to 21,000 tourism-related jobs, as well as 1,000 new jobs within the airline sector.
Six new aircraft for Belfast International Airport − plans to grow the fleet to 18 by 2028
The new airline is currently negotiating with Boeing and Airbus over airline choices. Current considerations are being made between the Boeing MAX and the Airbus A321. The hope is to operate with six aircraft initially before growing the airline fleet to 18 by 2028.
Exciting new employment opportunities are on the horizon for Belfast and its newly connected locations.
The airline’s Chief Executive, Andrew Pine, has been quoted by Belfast Live as saying, “We will be offering affordable fares with brand new aircraft.
“We already have offices at the airport and will now be building out the infrastructure to support the airline’s launch. We start recruiting for the team early in 2023″.
Flights available to book from 2024 − connecting Belfast worldwide
With flights going on sale from the start of 2024, this is undoubtedly an exciting new development for tourism within Northern Ireland.
As quoted by RTÉ, Andrew Pine stated, “The lack of direct transatlantic air services has been an impediment to Northern Ireland’s economic and tourism development, which we now intend to remove. The project can be a game-changer.”
The airline has received support from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. RTE has quoted Mayor Stephen Ross saying it’s “fantastic news not only for the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough but for Northern Ireland as a whole.
“This is a key moment for Northern Ireland and is the most significant local aviation announcement in recent history”.
Looking forward to flights across the pond – USA and Canada, here we come
The managing director of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie, was also quoted by RTÉ in support of the new airline.
Keddie said, “We look forward to them bringing this project to fruition as it would have very real economic benefits for Northern Ireland’s economy and would further enhance our international connectivity”.
This is an inspiring move for Belfast and, indeed, Ireland. We’re looking forward to travelling to Canada and America at great rates.
Bringing more tourism and work opportunities into our wonderful country can only ever be a good thing. Where will you fly off to first? A weekend trip to Europe or a more extended stay in the States? The possibilities are endless.
