Emerald Airlines which is operating the Aer Lingus Regional franchise is preparing to launch two new services to Cardiff and Southampton from Belfast City Airport.
These two services will start on the 7th of July.
Belfast City to Cardiff will operate five times a week, based on the timetable below:
EI3620 DEPART BHD 10:10 ARRIVE CWL 11:30 EI3621 DEAPRT CWL 12:00 ARRIVE BHD 13:20 Commences 7th July Operates Mondays, Thursdays Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Booked Equipment: ATR72-600
Belfast City to Southampton will see a daily operation, with flights planned to operate as follows:
EI3604 DEPART BHD 15:00 ARRIVE SOU 16:40 EI3605 DEPART SOU 17:10 ARRIVE BHD 18:40 EI3604 DEPART BHD 09:55 ARRIVE 11:35 - Saturday only EI3605 DEPART SOU 12:05 ARRIVE BHD 13:35 - Saturday only Commences 7th July Operates Daily, with alternative timetable on Saturdays Booked Equipment: ATR72-600
All services will operate as single-class services utilising an ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft.
Tickets are bookable via Aer Lingus and British Airways, with the ability to earn and burn points as required on these regional routes.
In Quotes
Commenting on the announcement, Ciarán Smith, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines said:
“As we near the peak summer months, the launch of our Cardiff and Southampton services will provide those travelling from Belfast with more choice when planning their holidays. When quick getaways are on the top of everyone’s mind, we are offering convenient timings and low fares, increasing connectivity to and from Northern Ireland.
“We are extremely pleased with the feedback we have received since beginning our operations from Belfast City Airport and believe Cardiff and Southampton are great new connections that will cater to both business and leisure travellers with direct, convenient and cost-effective flights from Belfast. In addition, we will continue to add more routes and increase frequencies over the coming months.”
Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager at Belfast City Airport, said:
“Aer Lingus Regional’s base at Belfast City Airport has been operational for just over 3 months and we are thrilled to already see expansion in both the number of routes served by the airline and the frequency of its services.
“With the addition of Cardiff and Southampton, Aer Lingus Regional will now operate routes to 8 of the 21 destinations Belfast City Airport will fly to this summer.
“We are seeing more and more passengers choosing Belfast City Airport due not only to our extensive choice of flights, but because of our proximity to the city centre – just a five-minute drive – and our excellent security processing times which average six minutes.”
Growing the regional network
Emerald Airlines already operates services from Belfast City to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Exeter, and Manchester – with them filling the gaps left behind by Stobart Air.
The regional gaps are slowly filling. In addition, Emerald Airlines will find itself engaging with competition on routes, with the resurgent FlyBe taking back to the air.
With no easy way to get to Northern Ireland (other than the ferry), this connectivity is vital.
It’ll be up to the passengers to take advantage of these new routes.
And a little reminder…
Belfast is home to two airports – one near the city centre (Geroge Best Belfast City Airport – BHD) and one in the countryside (Belfast International Airport – BFS).
Aer Lingus Regional operates from Belfast City Airport (BHD). It’s important to check where you fly into when booking flights and making comparisons, as that bus ride from Belfast International is a good 30-minute ride of fun.
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