6 UPDATE


Ski operator reports record sales to Bulgaria and Romania this winter


BALKAN Ski, the winter ski division of local tour operator, Travel Solutions, is reporting record numbers travelling to Bulgaria and Romania this season, and is planning to release its Winter 2018/19 programme "within days".


Reviewing sales to date, Travel Solutions Managing Director, Peter McMinn stated: “We continue to increase the number of ski holidays on offer to the Balkans with full flights operating from Belfast and increasing numbers flying from Dublin on scheduled services.


“Sales have been impressive and this season will see record numbers travelling”.


Explaining why Bulgaria and Romania is so popular, he continued: “Balkan Ski continues to offer great value ski holidays, with convenient fights and a great choice of accommodation including


newly refurbished five star hotels.


"There is no doubting that our instructors are some of the best in Europe, and the high level of repeat business is a clear indicator that our customers enjoy their winter ski experience with us”.


“We are only a few weeks into the season and we are already getting calls from customers who want to book for next winter. At this time we are very close to finalising our programme for next year and to meet demand we plan to be on sale for winter 18/19 within days”.


Balkan Ski operate weekly charter flights from Belfast to Plovdiv in Bulgaria. In addition, the company offers flights from Dublin to Sofia and Bucharest with up to four departures per week from December to March.


More flights, larger Air Transat aircraft


AIR Transat is upgrading its flights from Dublin this summer, offering more flights and larger aircraft.


The airline, which flies from Dublin to Toronto between April and October with connecting services to Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver, is increasing the choice of flights from four to five per week for Summer 2018.


The Summer 2018 flights lights will depart on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.


Air Transat is also upgrading the aircraft being used, from a 250-seat Airbus A310 to a 345-seat, state-of-the-art A330 on four of the five weekly flights.


The Air Transat A330s feature individual inflight entertainment screens throughout the cabin with a huge choice of films and TV shows to suit every traveller’s taste.


Return Economy Class flights from Dublin to Toronto start from €368, including in-flight meals and soft drinks, a 23kgs hold luggage allowance, and inflight entertainment.


Flights from Dublin to Montreal start from €355, to Calgary from €636 and Vancouver from €629


Travellers looking to enhance their journeys, can add on Option Plus from €56 one way, and receive a whole host of added extras on the ground and in the air.


Air Transat’s Club Class cabin offers a new level of comfort, at highly competitive prices. Benefits include priority check-in and boarding, a generously enhanced luggage allowance, roomier seats, multi course gourmet meals and a complimentary bar service, coupled with Air Transat’s trademark friendly, personalised service and extensive in-flight entertainment.


£15m investment G


in City Airport... Travellers to benefit from improvements


EORGE George Best Belfast City Airport has announced a ￡15 million infrastructure investment that will include a major upgrade of its departure lounge, incorporating its retail, food and beverage offering.


The investment also includes an upgrade of the airport’s central security area and hold baggage screening facilities, as well as the purchase of a new fleet of Airport Fire appliances.


The capital expenditure will further enrich and enhance the overall passenger journey through the airport, with the upgrade of the central security search area aimed at more efficient processing for all departing passengers.


There will be in excess of a 30 per cent increase in retail space, with an expanded offering from World Duty Free and WH Smith. Food and beverage facilities will be expanded by 25 per cent, with broader choice for customers being introduced along with partner HMS Host, which operates existing facilities including the Bushmills Bar.


Additionally, customer seating will be more than doubled, as will airside customer washroom facilities, which will also be fully refurbished.


The completed works will be contained within the current terminal building and will be completed by October 2018.


Belfast City Airport announced the infrastructure investment at a breakfast briefing for key stakeholders on Tuesday morning at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, said: “In keeping with our overall mission of delivering an airport experience that exceeds our customers’ expectations, Belfast City Airport is fully committed to continually improving the overall journey for our passengers. The ￡15m investment in our infrastructure is another major reinforcement of our commitment.


“The upgrading of our departure lounge and retail offering will provide greater choice and significantly enhance the experience for our core business and leisure passengers as they travel through the airport. “The strategic designs help future-proof the airport and we look forward to continuing what has been a successful period across many areas of our business.” Speaking during the unveiling of the plans, Mr Ambrose said the investment reinforced the


to infrastructure contribution the airport is making to key Belfast City Council growth strategies. He commented: “As a rapidly-evolving city and, as one of Belfast City Council’s key stakeholders, we are proud to play our part in supporting Belfast’s growth and in driving forward strategies to further enhance the city’s reputation on a global stage.


“As a major employer in the city, we will continue working in partnership with the Council and other stakeholders to help further develop a vibrant local economy by improving global connections through our strong network of blue-chip airline partners. “Situated just five minutes from the city centre, we provide an important gateway for opportunity, not only for business passengers and tourists departing Belfast, but also to inbound holidaymakers from overseas and potential foreign investors.” Speaking at the breakfast briefing, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast City Council, Councillor Sonia Copeland, said: “Through regional growth strategies, such as the Belfast Agenda and the Local Development Plan, Belfast City Council remains focused on creating an ambitious and dynamic city for the 21st century, that all our citizens can be proud of.


“Belfast City Airport is one of a range of stakeholders who have a key role to play in the ongoing growth of the city, and we warmly welcome the ￡15m infrastructure investment.


“We look forward to the works progressing and the enhanced experience that passengers will be able to enjoy.”


Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, commented: “This investment is excellent news for Belfast and for tourism to Northern Ireland. As an island, direct, convenient and competitive air access is critical to delivering growth in inbound tourism and any improvement in the experience of our overseas visitors, including travelling through our airports, is very much welcomed.”


LEFT: An artist’s impression of how the new World Duty Free Area will look after the upgrade


February 2018 Travel News


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