easyJet announces extra London flights

Business commuters will find it easier to get to London as easyJet has announced it will introduce extra flights from Belfast later this year.

Further services will be laid on to Gatwick, Luton, Southend and Stansted on weekday mornings and evenings, while there will be 3 flights to Manchester on Monday, Thursday and Friday - up from the current two daily flights.

The Edinburgh service will also be expanded from three flights to four on a Monday, while there will be an extra service on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the number of flights to three.

Uel Hoey, business development director at Belfast International Airport, said the changes provide "stability for millions of Northern Ireland air travellers".

"We are delighted that the airline is again demonstrating a willingness to explore new horizons in support of Northern Ireland's economic growth."

The changes will come into effect at the beginning of the airline's winter schedule on 28 October.

Around a week earlier easyJet will also launch its first service from Belfast International Airport to Birmingham.

Ali Gayward, easyJet commercial manager, said, "Our aim has always been to make travel easy and affordable. We remain committed to Northern Ireland and we are adding these extra flights in response to increasing customer demand for easyJet services.

"Edinburgh and Manchester are important centres for the business community and also for leisure travellers, including people going there for our popular city breaks."

easyJet operates 13 flights daily from Belfast to London and is the only airline to operate from Belfast to Bristol.