8 UPDATE


off programme Nine new destinations in 23 hotspots


First flight to Madeira kicks


ET2.COM and Jet2holidays recently kicked off a bumper Summer 18 programme from Belfast International Airport, with a check-in celebration for customers flying to the brand new and exclusive destination of Madeira. The lucky Northern Ireland holidaymakers were served up some tasty treats, in the theme of the Madeiran Flower Festival, which traditionally takes place on the Portuguese island throughout April and May.


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The inaugural flight to Madeira is the first of a magnificent seven new destinations launching within a week of each other, as Jet2.com and Jet2holidays rolled out a massive Summer 18 programme out of Belfast International. The new route to Madeira is exclusive, meaning Jet2.com is the only airline flying to Funchal from the island of Ireland, a clear indicator of the company’s desire to give Northern Ireland holidaymakers even greater choice and flexibility when booking their holidays.


In total Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will operate to NINE brand new destinations in Summer 18 from Belfast, with 135,000 extra seats on sale and a larger Boeing 737-800 aircraft coming into the fleet to support a capacity increase of almost 50 per cent. This means that the leading leisure airline and package holiday specialist will fly to 23 destinations from Belfast International in Summer 18, with over 420,000 seats on sale in total.


The nine new destinations from Belfast International with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays for Summer 18 are: • Madeira – first flight on April 30 with weekly Monday services operating all-year round. Jet2.com is the only airline flying to this famous island, known for its green and rugged landscape, from the island of Ireland


• Paphos – first flight departed on May 2 with a weekly Wednesday service operating until the end of October. Paphos is famed for its archaeological sites relating to Aphrodite, including ruins of palaces, tombs and mosaic-tiled villas


• Antalya – first flight was on May 3 with weekly Thursday services operating through to the end of October. Antalya offers Northern Ireland holidaymakers some of the best beaches in Turkey and a stylish mix of old and new, from ancient Roman temples to trendy waterfront bars


• Naples – first flight on May 4 with a weekly Friday service operating through to early October. Naples is one of Italy’s oldest, most artistic and most delicious cities, known for its culinary delights and access to the stunning Amalfi Coast


• Rhodes – first flight on May 4 with a weekly Friday service operating until the end of October, Rhodes is a picturesque Greek island, offering sandy beaches, lush forests, medieval towns and a buzzing nightlife


• Costa de Almeria – first flight on May 5 with two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday) until late- September, Costa de Almeria offers Blue Flag beaches and white washed villages. Northern Ireland holidaymakers can take their pick from the family friendly resort of Roquetas de Mar or the historic village of Mojacar for authentic Spanish charm • Crete (Heraklion) – first flight on May 7 with weekly Monday services operating through to the end of October. Sandy beaches, seafront tavernas, ancient palaces and neon nightlife – this sun-soaked island has the lot for Northern Ireland holidaymakers to enjoy. • Dalaman – starting June 26, a weekly Tuesday service will operate until the end of September. With resorts on the famous ‘turquoise coast’, Dalaman offers visitors stunning blue seas, vast beaches and ancient ruins


• Malta – with weekly Thursday services starting in early-April and operating until the end of October, Malta offers year-round sun and upbeat resorts like Sliema and St Julian’s. Visitors can tour Malta’s three UNESCO sites – made up of ancient temples, Roman ruins and medieval cities


Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “Our new exclusive route to Madeira from Belfast International is one of just nine brand new destinations that we will launch this summer, demonstrating our huge expansion here in Belfast. It marks the start of our biggest ever summer programme from Belfast International Airport, with more flights, seats and hotels than ever before with our award-winning airline and package holiday operator, giving Northern Ireland holidaymakers even more choice and flexibility. Such sustained growth is only possible by looking after customers, which shows that our continued investment into offering real package holidays and family friendly flights is working.” Graham Keddie, Belfast International


Airport Managing Director said: “This is a fantastic period of rapid development for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays at Belfast International Airport. The roll- out of nine new routes at the start of this Summer season catapults Jet2’s summer route network from 14 to 23 routes, and broadens their geographic reach right across the Mediterranean from Madeira in the west right through to Paphos in the east. Their continued development from Belfast is now providing a very extensive choice of product for local holidaymakers.” The leading airline and package holiday specialist continues to win a number of awards for its VIP customer service, including winning an unprecedented four accolades at the recent 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice™ awards for airlines (Best Airline – UK and Best Low-Cost Airline – Europe for the second year running, Best Economy Class in Europe, and the only UK and European airline to be recognised in the Top 10 Airlines in the World category – (coming seventh in the prestigious list).


Flower girls Katharine Walker and Zara Bell are joined by holidaymakers Carol and Carl Ferguson at a check-in celebration for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers flying to the brand new and exclusive destination of Madeira. The lucky Northern Ireland holidaymakers were served up some tasty treats, in the theme of the Madeiran Flower Festival, which traditionally takes place on the Portuguese island throughout April and May


Onboard bargains on Day Cruises


STENA Line is inviting people from all over Northern Ireland to experience a day out like no other with the launch of its Superfast Day Cruises.


From now until December 20, Stena Line passengers can jump onboard this non-landing cruise from just £5 per person return and enjoy a wide range of experiences.


Customers can save up to 50 per cent in the onboard shop compared to High Street brands and will also receive a £5 voucher when they spend £25 or more. Guests can enjoy some refreshments at the Metropolitan bar, Taste restaurant or Barista Coffee lounge and relax watching a free movie in the cinema or surf the web with complimentary Wi-Fi. There’s also an interactive POD lounge, gaming zone and play area which is sure to keep the kids entertained for hours!


Setting sail from Belfast to Cairnryan every Tuesday to Thursday at 11.30am and returning to Belfast at 5.45pm and from just £5 per person return, this day cruise is the hottest ticket in town.


Superfast Day Cruisers also have the option to upgrade and indulge in even more relaxation by experiencing the Pure Nordic Spa, Stena Plus and new Hygge recline lounge which offers a haven for those who want to unwind and take some time out. Orla Noonan, Travel Commercial Manager (Irish Sea North) said: “The Superfast Day Cruise is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fun family day out or a friendly get-together with something onboard to suit everyone.


“This day out with a difference provides relaxation, a spot of retail therapy, non-stop entertainment for the kids and much more,” Orla added.


Swift takes over on Dublin-Holyhead


IRISH Ferries has significantly improved its fast ferry offering on the Dublin – Holyhead route with the introduction of the recently upgraded and larger, high speed craft ‘Dublin Swift’ which entered service recently on the route following a full internal refurbishment. It replaces the ‘Jonathan Swift’ which has been in service since 1999. This new addition to the Irish Ferries fleet - which


is now the largest fast ferry crossing the Irish Sea - will operate at a cruising speed of 35 knots to the same frequency of twice daily return sailings as the vessel it is replacing. The new Dublin Swift has greater car (220) and


passenger (820) carrying capacity and offers a completely redesigned interior and a significantly upgraded level of passenger accommodation. Configured somewhat differently on the inside, the


passenger accommodation area is contained


throughout a single deck design rather than the double deck layout familiar to passengers previously. With its introduction, Irish Ferries has taken the


opportunity to upgrade the range and style of its food and entertainment offerings. With completely redesigned menus, using the very best Irish sourced ingredients from approved and traditional suppliers, there are several different contemporary dining options to choose from. Onboard facilities include a dedicated TV Snug,


cafeteria, self-service restaurant and games area. Passengers will be spoilt for choice with spacious


seating accommodation in the standard cabin, or plush reclining seats with views to sea, in-seat recharging points and complementary refreshments in the Club Class Lounge at the very front of the ship. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout.


International award for City Airport at Routes conference


GEORGE Best Belfast City Airport has received international recognition for its Excellence in Airport Marketing at the Routes Europe Conference in Bilbao.


The airport claimed the ‘Highly Commended’ award for airports under four million passengers at the Routes Europe Marketing Awards which recognise new air route successes from across the globe and reward airports for outstanding marketing activity over the last 12 months.


Ellie McGimpsey and Katy Best of Belfast City Airport with the latest award


An eagerly anticipated event within the aviation industry, the Routes Marketing Awards are entirely unique as it is the airlines that nominate the


airports they believe should be rewarded for best practice marketing activity. After receiving the award in Bilbao, Katy Best, Commercial Director at Belfast City Airport, said: “Throughout the nomination process, airlines from across Europe recommend airports which they believe have provided exceptional marketing support during the launch of new routes or support for existing services, and which have excelled in marketing and negotiating potential new routes.


“To have our work recognised as best practice within the industry and receive a nomination is fantastic but to be named Highly Commended by a panel


of senior international airline executives is an incredible accolade for Belfast City Airport.


“Our approach is very much to be a ‘partner in market’ for our airlines allowing them to benefit from our expertise and knowledge, not only our own passenger base, but also of the local market, to best support their routes. “We spend a lot of time ensuring our route development and airline marketing strategies are aligned with the brand and values of the airline itself and are tailored specifically to include activity that will have a direct impact on awareness and growth of the routes from Belfast City.”


In the last 12 months, George Best Belfast City Airport has secured additional capacity on Cardiff and London City routes as well as announcing a new route to Doncaster Sheffield, the arrival of Loganair which will operate a six times weekly service to Carlisle Lake District Airport from June and new charter partner, JetsGo Holidays. This is in addition to longstanding partner airlines Aer Lingus, British Airways, Flybe and KLM.


The 2017 Routes Europe was hosted in Belfast and was one of the most successful Routes Europe events to date.


June 2018 Travel News


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