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A NEW LOW-COST airline is set to offer transatlantic flights from Northern Ireland.
The announcement by Fly Atlantic has been described as a “game changer”, filling the gap in the market of no direct flights currently operating between Belfast to North America.
Fly Atlantic is planning to start operating flights to Europe as well as North America from summer 2024.
Once fully operational, the airline said it intends to operate to 35 destinations from Belfast, and will create 21,000 new jobs by 2030.
That figure is to include 1,000 jobs created within the airline and up to 21,000 in tourism and support sectors.
Flights will start to go on sale from the beginning of 2024.
The airline said it will initially operate six aircraft at Belfast International Airport, and plans to grow to a fleet of 18 by 2028.
It is in discussion with both Boeing and Airbus over aircraft, with the choice being between the Boeing MAX and the Airbus A321.
Fly Atlantic’s chief executive Andrew Pyne said they chose Belfast over strong competition across the UK.
“Our vision is of Belfast as a strong aviation hub linking Europe and North America,” he said.
The lack of direct transatlantic air services has clearly been an impediment to Northern Ireland’s economic and tourism development, which we now intend to remove.
“The project can be a gamechanger.
“We will be offering affordable fares with brand new aircraft. We already have offices at the airport and will now be building out the infrastructure to support the airline’s launch. We start recruiting for the team early in 2023.
We looked at many options throughout the UK and Ireland. Belfast International and Vinci stood out in terms of the facilities that they offered us and by their enthusiasm for and commitment to making this project a reality. Northern Ireland has a proud aviation and engineering history, and we are delighted to be able to build on this tradition as we develop the airline and its support functions.
Mr Pyne also acknowledged support received from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, adding it had been “right behind the project from the start”.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Stephen Ross described the airline’s announcement as “fantastic news not only for the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough but for Northern Ireland as a whole”.
“This is a key moment for Northern Ireland and is the most significant local aviation announcement in recent history,” he said.
“Belfast International Airport is the ideal hub for Fly Atlantic to base its operations due to its location, drive, and ability to offer unparalleled experience and routes for passengers.”
Graham Keddie, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, also welcomed the announcement.
“We look forward to them bringing this project to fruition as it would have very real economic benefits for Northern Ireland’s economy and would further enhance our international connectivity,” he said.
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Israeli settlers? In the same way we have Russian settlers in Ukraine currently? Stop using the language of propaganda
@TheCraftyCulchie: Settler is surely the most accurate term no? They themselves would probably not like that term as they don’t view where they live as a settlement or occupied land (not saying I agree with their view). BTW the Russian Ukranian conflict is very different. Ukrainians have historically never threatened or tried to invade Russia as far I’m aware.
@TheCraftyCulchie: The comparison with Ukraine-Russia is not at all appropriate and misleads people away from the root cause of the conflict.
Ukrainians and Russian linguistically, culturally and religiously overlap, and this is at the heart of the conflict.
Russia has an inability to accept that Ukraine has developed an independent national identity and wants to chart its own course as an independent sovereign nation. The war is the process of Ukraine getting divorced from Russia. Russia argues Ukraine is not different or distinct enough to be independent, Ukraine disagrees. Russia wants Ukraine to remain within it historical sphere of influence, and use it as a buffer against the West.
It’s interesting to listen to old Russian people when asked, “why Russians protect the motherland in another country?”
Almost no one accepts that Russia is fighting abroad, Ukraine is Russia.
This stems from ancient history, not the Soviet Union. Russians, Belorussians and Ukrainians were one people c. 1500 years ago and Kyiv was their capital. Over the centuries their culture and languages diverged, so distinct nationalities emerged, particularly in the 1920-30s when early Soviet promoted regionalism. However, Russia under Putin effectively treats Ukraine a quasi-region of Russia populated by people who should not be Ukrainian, but a united “triune people comprising Velikorussians, Malorussians and Belorussians”.
“This Soviet national policy secured at the state level the provision on three separate Slavic peoples: Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian, instead of the large Russian nation, a triune people comprising Velikorussians, Malorussians and Belorussians.” – Vladmir Putin
@David Jordan: 20% of what you say is true, but the rest is the view of Russian liberals. Ukraine had a distinct identity for centuries while defending agains Turks, Tatars, Poland and Russia. At that time they had a democratic system called Hetmanat, where a hetman was elected as a leader. One of those hetmans, Bogdan Hmelnitskiy signed the Pereyaslav treaty with Russia with codependency in defence at its core. However over decades through corruption and threats Russia was able to control what Hetman is elected and soon after slowly took over Ukraine claiming it as its territory. Then a multitude of assimilation projects started with Ukrainians being deported to far east and Taiga of Russian empire, being replaced by Russian + penalties on non adoption of Russian language and culture.
Occupiers, not settlers.
It’s funny how Israel does not demolish the homes of the Israeli’s who are involved in these killings…..
Sanction Israel like you do North Korea or Russia.
How many Israeli settlers were shot by Israeli troops during the rampage.
Answer 0.
Religion is a scourge on humanity
The Israeli people have a right to be there and a right to live their lives without the threat of violence against them
@Aidy McBride: so do the Palestinians but don’t let your one sided rant get sidetracked
@Aidy McBride: Warning…Genius at work!!!
For almost 60 years since The 6 Day War of 1967 Israel has been illegally colonising the captured Palestinian territory of that war. The West ( USA, EU and UK) turn a blind eye to this for 2 reasons..1. Feelings of guilt for having allowed or participated in The Holocaust.
2. Israel as a regional military superpower and an ally of The West protects vital oil supplies in a very unstable part of the world.
Things look very bad for the Palestinians who have only themselves to depend on if they are not to meet the same bitter end of other native peoples who were colonised.
As we in Ireland have Unionist settlers in Northern Ireland.
have your say