This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18454784#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus to switch to George Best Belfast City Airport | Aer Lingus to switch to George Best Belfast City Airport |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI economics and business editor | By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI economics and business editor |
| Aer Lingus is planning to switch its operations from Belfast International Airport to Belfast City Airport. | Aer Lingus is planning to switch its operations from Belfast International Airport to Belfast City Airport. |
| The move follows the City's loss of BMI Baby - which carried 400,000 passengers a year - and gives an indication of the Irish airline's intentions. | The move follows the City's loss of BMI Baby - which carried 400,000 passengers a year - and gives an indication of the Irish airline's intentions. |
| Aer Lingus flies to Heathrow and seven European destinations, but it is thought it may expand routes to regional UK airports from the City. | |
| This would fill some of the lost BMI Baby routes and compete with Flybe. | This would fill some of the lost BMI Baby routes and compete with Flybe. |
| Neither airport would comment at this stage. Confirmation from the airline may follow a board meeting next week. | Neither airport would comment at this stage. Confirmation from the airline may follow a board meeting next week. |
| The BBC understands flights could be moved to Belfast City within weeks and that a formal announcement may come in days. | The BBC understands flights could be moved to Belfast City within weeks and that a formal announcement may come in days. |
| The move will also make George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast's only Heathrow connection. | The move will also make George Best Belfast City Airport, Belfast's only Heathrow connection. |
| With the takeover of BMI by British Airways there had been concerns over that route. | With the takeover of BMI by British Airways there had been concerns over that route. |
| BA has confirmed its commitment to the route but there remains speculation that there may be long-term plans for both airlines to work together on the Belfast-Heathrow connection. | BA has confirmed its commitment to the route but there remains speculation that there may be long-term plans for both airlines to work together on the Belfast-Heathrow connection. |
| Aer Lingus currently operates flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, London Heathrow, Malaga and Tenerife. | Aer Lingus currently operates flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, London Heathrow, Malaga and Tenerife. |