BELFAST TO DUBAI – EMIRATES DISCUSS DIRECT FLIGHT!

A senior delegation from Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, spent two days in Northern Ireland last week amid increasing speculation that it is “seriously considering” launching a new direct air link from Belfast International Airport to Dubai…

THE officials are understood to have had in-depth discussions with management at Belfast International Airport, and spend time looking at all operational aspects of the facility, both for passenger traffic and freight.

And the Middle East group also had talks with executives at Invest NI and factored in a meeting to Belfast City Hall.

Last night the airport confirmed the visit had taken place, but refused to comment on the likely outcome.

In January 2012 the inaugural Emirates flight between Dublin and Dubai took off amid a fanfare, offering a huge stimulus to tourism, business and aviation in the Republic.

Since then it has welcomed more than 1,000,000 passengers on the twice-daily route, and has experienced increased growth and success in the Irish market, connecting up to 22,000 customers from Dublin to Dubai for leisure and business and onwards to more than 152 destinations every month.

Meanwhile Belfast International continues to record strong levels of growth after more than 370,000 passengers travelled through the airport last month, up 12 per cent on the same period last year and an increase of 16 per cent since January.

Airport Managing Director Graham Keddie said: “Added capacity by easyJet coupled with strong demand on domestic routes continues to fuel this increase in numbers.

“The reintroduction of the year round United Airlines service to Newark – New York has bolstered international traffic during the winter period.”

He added: “We remain focussed on building our network to key European and international markets. With increased capacity from easyJet and Jet2.com and the addition of Ryanair to our portfolio of airlines we will have a greater choice of direct routes for local travellers as well as ensuring Northern Ireland is more accessible to the increasing number of tourists who want to visit.”