BUDGET airline EasyJet has announced a major expansion of its Belfast to Britain routes.
The company will increase the number of seats on the London routes to half a million per week by early next year in its winter schedule.
The increase will be fully in place by February 2016.
The airline’s winter schedule will focus on Gatwick, London Luton and Stansted.
In addition, EasyJet will add seat capacity to Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester, bringing the total seats on these routes to 160,000 seats a week.
Belfast International Airport has welcomed the move, which could add 100 aviation jobs to the region.
Graham Keddie, Managing Director at Belfast International Airport, said: “This is a development of enormous importance. EasyJet is Northern Ireland’s main airline and this news will see it reinforce its presence in the market.
“We’re delighted at this news which will see impressive levels of growth on all three London services.
“These jobs won’t cost the taxpayer a penny. They will generate up to £2,500,000 in wages and salaries and that will be a welcome boost for retailers. EasyJet’s to be congratulated on this investment which will offer passengers even more choice and competitive fares.”
