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Aer Lingus to switch to George Best Belfast City Airport | Aer Lingus to switch to George Best Belfast City Airport |
(about 1 hour 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. | 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. |
Belfast International Airport has yet to comment on the move. | |
A spokesperson for George Best Belfast City Airport said: "Following the announcement of the departure of bmi baby we stated that we were confident that we would attract new airlines. | |
"This position has not changed and we expect to make several announcements in the coming weeks. | |
"We are certainly not in a position to comment on speculation regarding specific airlines 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. |