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EASYJET have announced two new routes from Belfast to Rome Fiumicino and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. The services will connect Northern Ireland to two major destinations from Belfast International Airport.


Flights to Rome Fiumicino are set to start on 26th October 2026, with options available on Mondays and Fridays throughout the year.


Rome offers a unique blend of ancient


history and modern culture, with iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon making it an ideal destination for staycations. Seats to Rome Fiumicino are currently available for purchase at easyJet.com and through the app starting from £28.99* Flights to Sharm el Sheikh are also set to start on 25th October 2026 operating twice weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays making an ideal midweek escape or a longer winter sun break with


Seats to Sharm el Sheikh are available to purchase on easyJets website, starting from £118.99*


The popular Red Sea resort is famed for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, with opportunities to explore the coral reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park, relax in beachfront resorts, or venture into


Packaged Holidays On The Rise as Many Look Towards Summer Trips


JET2 has published data showing how consumers are increasingly seeking the assurance of a package holiday. The tour operator ran monthly polls with


over 1,000 UK consumers, with its May data showing a significant increase in customers opting for a package holiday.


The data shows that the number of people choosing a package holiday as their preferred method of booking has risen five percentage points to 51% since February. The number of people preferring to book through different providers has dropped by six percentage points to 20%. Those choosing ‘accommodation only’ has dropped to 2%. The primary


reasons for choosing a


package holiday have remained steady, with value (36%) and ease (36%) the main drivers, however the benefit of ‘added security with one provider,


e.g. ATOL/


ABTA protection’ has increased by four percentage points since February to 26%. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Consumers


want assurance during


times of uncertainty and package holidays provide that assurance. On top of all the protection that our package holidays guarantee, Jet2 is well known as being a consumer champion that goes above and beyond to look after customers. Ahead of a busy summer season, this means new and existing customers know that their well-deserved holidays are in the very best hands with us, and we are very excited about welcoming everyone onboard and taking them


on their breaks.”


www.nitravelnews.com


easyJet Launches Two New Routes From Belfast! easyJet’s UK Country


the desert for safaris and traditional Bedouin experiences. Kevin Doyle,


Manager, said: “We are excited to be launching two new routes and package holidays from Belfast International for this winter,


customers with even more choice


providing and


connectivity. Whether they’re looking for winter sun, or a weekend away in some of Europe’s most iconic capitals, these new routes further expands the range of exciting destinations available for our customers to choose from at affordable prices.” Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer, Belfast International Airport, said: “We are thrilled with the addition of Rome


to our destinations portfolio, fulfilling the demand for what has been one of our most requested routes. Rome, with its rich history and vibrant culture is now closer than ever for local travellers. The addition of Sharm El Sheikh is sure to be a hit offering customers a warm getaway to pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and word class diving experiences during the winter season. These new routes demonstrate our commitment to continuously enhancing our network and delivering the destinations that our passengers value most.”


ABTA Reassures Travellers as Holidays Continue as Planned


ABTA has issued guidance on fuel concerns and urges confidence in bookings. ABTA has also moved to reassure holidaymakers that travel plans remain unaffected, despite the recent speculation of jet fuel prices and availability. The trade association has published online


new guidance has to highlight


concerns, explaining the details behind recent news whilst reinforcing that flights and holidays are continuing as normal. The organisation


continued to


provide clarity and advice on its website and social media content via broadcast media interviews and comments in the national media. Graeme Buck,


Director of


Communications at ABTA, said: “Members are getting questions from customers about what the availability of fuel and possible rising prices will mean for their holidays or future plans, particularly following updates from some European airlines about changes to flights.


“In times of uncertainty, ABTA has an important role to support members and customers by providing clarity on what is happening and what it means for holidaymakers. We’re stressing that holidays are happening, and those who are due to travel or looking to book a holiday can take confidence from the strong protections in place and the benefits of booking with an ABTA member.”


Heathrow


Expansion Could Boost Regional Connectivity From Belfast, According to New Study


FRONTIER Economics has identified the UK airports most likely to benefit from new or restored connections to Heathrow,


when additional airport


capacity is delivered by a third runway. Data has pinpointed Belfast International Airport as one of the strongest candidates for new domestic links, based on evidence of underlying demand.


Cornwall Airport Newquay, Leeds Bradford Airport, Liverpool John Lennon, and Teeside International were also highlighted as most likely to benefit from the addition of a third runway.


For the last twenty years Heathrow has been operating at capacity, with airlines often prioritising the use of limited slots for long haul destinations. As a result, domestic connections have been lost, with passengers relying on indirect routes via overseas hubs, offshoring the benefits of connectivity away from the UK.


While airlines make decisions on which routes operate at Heathrow,


Frontier


Economics’ research shows that new routes are viable and expansion would give airlines the headroom to introduce and reinstate connections, bringing more of the UK within easy reach of Heathrow’s global network. An estimated 5 million passengers travelled on Heathrow’s 13 domestic routes in 2025, supporting an estimated £1.2bn in gross tourism spending across the UK.


If these top five routes were introduced and operated 5 days a week, the combined impact could be significant, generating around £335 million in additional tourism spending and supporting thousands of jobs in the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector. Nigel


Milton, Chief Communications


and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow, said: “Domestic connectivity has always been central to Heathrow’s role as the UK’s only hub airport. For many communities, these links are not a luxury, they are a lifeline, connecting people


and businesses to opportunities


across the UK and around the world. With additional capacity, we can strengthen these vital connections and ensure every part of the country can benefit from Heathrow’s global network.”


Karen Dee, Chief Executive, Airports


UK, said: “This report demonstrates that connecting our regional economies through enhanced direct links between our airports will bring more jobs, wealth, and prosperity. “ Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Strong domestic connectivity is vital to growing tourism in the UK, and Heathrow and its connections to regional airports play a critical role in this. By making it easier for visitors to reach every corner of the country – from coastal destinations to historic cities and rural areas – our airports create jobs, serve communities and link local economies to international opportunities.”


Aer Lingus’ Marks 90 Years of Flying as its Oldest Aircraft Takes to the Skies


AER Lingus marks 90 years of flying with a special voyage for its newly- restored,


the 1936 de Havilland Dragon.


oldest aircraft,


The aircraft hit the skies, recreating Aer Lingus’ inaugural flight which took place back in May 1936 from Dublin to Bristol.


Aer Lingus’ de Havilland DH.84 Dragon, EI-ABI Iolar, is one of the last remaining aircrafts of its type.


The aircraft had been undergoing restoration at Aer Lingus’


headquarters ahead of the airlines 90th anniversary. Lynne Embleton,


Lingus Chief Executive Officer, said:


is a powerful way for us to reconnect with the very beginnings of our airline 90 years ago and the pioneering spirit that shaped Irish aviation. “As we mark our 90th anniversary, we’re conscious not only of where we have come from, but how far we


“The restoration of Iolar maintenance Aer


have progressed over the past nine decades. “From that first flight carrying five passengers across the Irish Sea, the airline today connects Ireland to over


June 2026


destinations across Europe, the UK and North America. “The story we started in 1936 is still being written and we intend to make the next chapter as innovative and groundbreaking as the first.”


This project has been supported by the Aer Lingus Charitable Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving Ireland’s industrial and transport for future generations.


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