Up up and away ... as airline announces major new flights of fancy for NI travellers
Six exclusive routes among eight destinations for summer 2018
Holidaymakers in Northern Ireland received a major boost today after eight new destinations were unveiled for next summer.
Six of the new Jet2.com routes from Belfast International Airport are exclusive to the province.
In addition, a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft has been added to the fleet in response to a 39% increase in capacity.
A total of 50 jobs have been created as a result.
The new destinations are:
Antalya in Turkey
Madeira
Crete in Greece
Costa de Almeria
Naples
Paphos in Cyprus
Malta
Rhodes
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “This will be our biggest ever summer programme from Belfast International, with 8 brand new destinations, 400,000 seats and more hotels than ever before with our award-winning airline and package holiday operator.
“We have made a huge investment in Belfast, creating new jobs and putting in an additional aircraft to allow holidaymakers to fly to more destinations than ever in Summer 18.
“Such sustained growth is only possible by looking after customers, which shows that our continued investment into offering real package holidays and family friendly flights is working.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie, has said the decision by Jet2 to base a fourth aircraft at the airport and expand its route network will lead to 50 new jobs.
Mr Keddie said: “Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays will offer over 400,000 seats for Summer ’18 and that will deliver enormous additional choice for the Northern Ireland holiday-maker.
“A fourth aircraft – in this case, a larger Boeing 737-800 – is a multi-million pound commitment and the clearest possible signal by the airline that Northern Ireland is a good place to invest.
“Of course, with the welcome expansion will come new employment opportunities. Up to fifty jobs spread throughout the airport will have to be filled, including ground crew, pilots and cabin crew which will mean £1.5 million in wages injected into the local economy.
“This is a most welcome boost, coming only forty-eight hours after we helped to host a most successful Route Europe Conference in Northern Ireland which attracted 114 airlines and representatives from 370 airports and about 40 tourism organisations.
“Belfast International Airport is in the business of expanding its international reach and giving both in-bound tourists and out-bound passengers the best possible range of destinations.
“Our growth delivers real economic benefits for Northern Ireland. The more we grow our passenger traffic, the more we will see airlines and others investing here.
“We’re delighted with Jet2’s wonderful vote of confidence and know the airline will see a tremendous up-take for its comprehensive list of holiday destinations.”