Over the next two days easyJet, Europe's leading low cost airline will be launching Five NEW routes from Belfast International Airport. Today, Friday 1st July the low cost carrier will launch flights to Inverness, Geneva and Rome, followed by the launch of Berlin (Schoenefeld) and Palma (Mallorca) on Saturday 2nd July.

easyJet, Northern Ireland's largest airline has received a phenomenal response to these new routes and has already sold over 50,000 seats. This outstanding reaction spurred the low cost carrier to announce an additional new route to Faro, initially intended only for the summer period, following the strong response the route will now operate throughout the winter.

easyJet CEO Ray Webster said: �We are delighted with the response to these new routes, which further proves the great demand for direct low cost travel in Northern Ireland. easyJet has launched ten new routes from Belfast in the last twelve months and recognises the potential for further development from the region"

The introduction of these new routes will increase the number of easyJet aircraft based at Belfast International Airport to five, creating over 30 new jobs through air crew and ground staff positions. easyJet now operates 19 routes from it's Northern Ireland base, reflecting an increase of 10% in capacity in the last year at Belfast International.

Albert Harrison, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said, �The new services being launched this weekend bring the number of international scheduled destinations available from Belfast International Airport to 15, enabling local travellers to fly non-stop to key business and leisure markets at highly affordable prices as well as bringing more visitors from these destinations to Northern Ireland. These developments testify to easyJet�s commitment to the Northern Ireland market and we will continue to work closely with them and our partners in government and tourism in order to deliver even greater air service options from Belfast International Airport.�

Belfast International Airport Ltd received assistance for three of the new easyJet Berlin, Rome and Geneva routes from Invest NI subsidiary company Air Route Development (NI) Ltd, which was established by the Government to promote economic development in Northern Ireland through improved air access. The scheme also assisted the airport in the establishment of easyJet�s services to Paris and Nice launched in June 2004.

Air Route Development chairman Bill McGinnis said: "The launch of these three additional European routes by easyJet is further evidence that the air route development scheme (ARD) is helping to improve air access to and from Northern Ireland and this can only benefit the local business community, trading links with Europe, and the inbound tourism market. It is also good news for easyJet and Belfast International Airport and I welcome the continuing positive contribution they are making to the local economy."

To celebrate the launch of these routes there will be celebrations at easyJet's check in area at Belfast International airport and in Belfast City centre on Friday 1st July. In true easyJet style passengers checking in for their flights to Inverness and Geneva today will be welcomed by traditional Scottish and Swiss hospitality and entertainment. In Belfast city centre easyJet have teamed up with Belfast radio station Citybeat 96.7fm to offer listeners the chance to win one of fifteen pairs of flights to the new easyJet route of their choice.

easyJet recently launched it's winter schedule and have already sold over 6,000 seats for these five new routes, almost half of which were sold in the first 3 days of being on sale! Rome has proven the favourite of easyJet's new routes for travellers from Northern Ireland, with over 9,000 seats sold so far for both Summer and Winter.

-ENDS-

Photos will be available on Friday from the easyJet Press Office: 01582 52 52 52 Notes to Editor: Commencing Friday 1st July

Rome (Ciampino) Inverness Geneva Commencing Saturday 2nd July Berlin (Schoenefeld) Palma

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