After a year of “extremely hard work,” according to Flybe CEO, Dave Pflieger, the regional carrier has launched its first commercial flight on 13 April from Birmingham Airport to George Best Belfast City Airport. The resurrected airline’s inaugural flight was greeted with a water cannon salute on its arrival at Belfast.
Offering up to four daily flights between the two airports, Flybe will also serve Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Manchester, Southampton, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle from Belfast City – it’s second main base of operation.
More than 100 direct new jobs are expected to be created in the Belfast region, as well as an additional 40 local partner jobs in ground handling and maintenance companies. Flybe’s arrival is expected to create even more indirect jobs elsewhere in the local Northern Ireland economy.
Flybe’s CEO, Dave Pflieger said: “We chose Belfast Airport as an important base for our operations because of its fantastic people, its key location just five minutes from the city centre, and the opportunity it allows to connect Northern Ireland with mainland UK.
“We have plans to rapidly grow and create further jobs and look forward to adding even more flights as the summer progresses.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Hall, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport added: “It’s great to see Flybe take to the skies today from George Best Belfast City Airport.
“Providing choice and convenience to the people of Northern Ireland is something we pride ourselves on, and securing these 12 new services to destinations across the UK and Europe with Flybe only strengthens that offering further.”
