Emerald Airlines is expanding at Belfast City Airport to provide more choice to travellers in the region.
The carrier, which is the exclusive operator of the Aer Lingus Regional route network, plans to operate “high-frequency routes” from the airport to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds Bradford and Manchester.
The new routes are part of a long-term deal with Belfast City Airport to establish a new home-based carrier there with additional routes to be announced this year.
Conor McCarthy, CEO of Emerald Airlines, said: “We want to be the airline of choice for customers travelling from Belfast City Airport and we’re eager to build upon our announcement today, with new flights and destinations to follow in the near future.
"We are in advanced talks with British Airways and Aer Lingus regarding code sharing and other cooperation so that we can maintain the continuity and benefits of the current services offered by both airlines at Belfast City Airport. Operational set-up continues at pace, with the Belfast City Base, our UK AOC and employee recruitment progressing extremely well.
"We’re confident this news will be welcomed by the business community across the region which depends on connectivity more than ever as the recovery continues."
Matthew Hall, CEO at Belfast City Airport, said: “We are very pleased to secure a long-term partnership with Emerald Airlines that will see the return of the Aer Lingus Regional product to Belfast later this year. Emerald’s commitment to Northern Ireland will ensure not only the continuity of these regional routes that have been operated by mainline Aer Lingus and British Airways since last summer 2021, but also presents a significant opportunity for new routes and additional frequency.
"As the pandemic subsides, we do expect to see an increased demand for travel – both to and from Belfast – and this ensures we are in a strong position to meet this demand.”
Aer Lingus and British Airways services to London Heathrow and London City from Belfast City Airport continue as normal.
Emerald Airlines and Aer Lingus announced in December that they had brought forward plans to relaunch regional flights by almost a year.