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TRAVEL NORTHERN IRELAND ISSUE 283 | MARCH 2017


WINReturn Flights to ANY Jet2.com European Destination


Two new routes to USA start of of ‘long term commitment to NI’ By KIRSTY JOHNSTON


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FTER weeks of speculation low cost airline Norwegian has confirmed it will launch its first ever USA flights from Belfast, and the airport's only direct transatlantic links, from July this year… and this is just the beginning!


But if you’re expecting to snap up some rock- bottom fares, as low as £69 one way, you’re already far too late. All the lowest advertised fares were snapped up within minutes of going on sale, selling at an almost unheard-of rate, according to the airline.


Norwegian will commence its two never- before-seen routes from Belfast International Airport in early July, offering five weekly flights direct to the greater New York and Boston areas. However not only could the flight frequency on these routes increase, Norwegian says it could also add further destinations out of Belfast.


Speaking about the long term commitment Norwegian are making to Northern Ireland CEO Bjorn Kjos said: “Based on the success of the routes to Stewart (New York) and Providence (Boston) we could be increasing the flight frequency in the future. This is a long term commitment to Belfast for us. We will also look at adding new routes.”


The two new flights will serve smaller US airports which offer good access into the Boston, New York and New England areas but carry significantly lower landing charges, allowing Norwegian to offer some “truly affordable” fares that will allow as many people as possible to fly - introductory fares to the USA start from just £69 one way.


The Norwegian CEO continued: “Norwegian are shaking up transatlantic travel once again with ground-breaking fares and never before seen routes. We are delighted to announce our first-ever flights from Belfast to ensure the city maintains its crucial transatlantic links. The cost of transatlantic travel has been too high for too long so by connecting Northern Ireland with smaller US


airports, we can offer some truly affordable fares, allowing as many as possible to fly.” Graham Keddie, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said: “Both symbolically and from an economic standpoint, the New York link is the best possible boost for Northern Ireland. We’re set to see a reduced Corporation Tax rate to help boost our inward investment, and it would have been undermined if we didn’t have a direct service. “It was vitally important for Northern Ireland to re-connect with the United States of America. Without a direct air link, the job of attracting new investment and expanding Northern Ireland tourism would be a lot harder.


“This is a great day for the airport, Northern Ireland, indeed, the entire northern half of the island of Ireland. The Norwegian fare structure will be unbeatable, and we expect that will prove hugely attractive to people living across the Border who are tired of paying top dollar for transatlantic services.” Welcoming the new route, the then Northern Ireland Economy Minister, Simon Hamilton, MLA said: “This announcement will ensure that Northern Ireland’s air connectivity to the United States is maintained. Direct flights to the United States are critically important to Northern Ireland in respect of inbound tourism, trade and investment. “I have worked alongside Belfast International Airport and Norwegian to put this new service in place and I will continue to work with our airports and others to improve connectivity. This is why I announced that I want to establish an air routes task force to ensure that we can continue to identify new routes and new airlines. I hope that this service will prove successful and be able to expand in due course.”


More on the New Routes: Pages 4-5


UK & Ireland 50p/€1 www.nitravelnews.com


NEWS See page 34... THEY DID IT NORWAY!


STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER! Graham Keddie, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport with Norwegian Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Kjos at the announcement of the two new routes to the USA from Belfast International Airport. The routes to Providence, Rhode Island (Boston) and Stewart International (New York) will begin in early July. BIAL has been without a US direct service since early January when United Airlines withdrew its route to Newark


USA back on the


schedules


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