A new company will begin operating a service from East Midlands Airport to Belfast following the collapse of a major flight operator. It was announced last week that Flybe had entered administration, affecting hundreds of jobs and scores of flights.
Flybe had operated services from Belfast, Birmingham and Heathrow to airports across the UK and to Amsterdam and Geneva. Emerald Airlines, the largest operator out of Belfast City Airport and the operator of the Aer Lingus Regional network, has now announced it will be taking on one of Flybe's routes.
Ciarán Smith, the Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines, said: "We are very pleased to be strengthening our schedule out of Belfast City Airport. As the demand for travel options from Belfast only increases, this new route will no doubt be warmly welcomed."
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Fares will start from £34.99 and the service from East Midlands to Belfast will officially launch on March 26. It will initially be a daily service, but then will increase to a twice daily from mid-April.
Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport's Managing Director, said: "We're delighted that Aer Lingus will start operating between EMA and Belfast next month. This news will be well received by the passengers who make use of this popular route which is an important part of our domestic offer. We look forward to working with the airline as they seek further opportunities to grow their operation here."
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