Fantastic news for Belfast:
Belfast-NY flights plan
An American airline has agreed in principle to start a regular direct service from Belfast to New York.
Final details are still being worked out, but a formal announcement that Continental Airlines will fly the route is expected in the next few weeks.
Flights are due to start operating from next year.
BBC Northern Ireland’s business editor, James Kerr, said it was a “badly kept secret” that management at Belfast International and Continental have been in talks for months.
The hope is for a daily service to New York’s second international airport at Newark International Airport in New Jersey.
However, one of the concerns has been whether the market would sustain a non-stop flight every day right through the slackest period of mid-winter.
The service will receive start-up grant aid from the government’s air route development fund.
It has also played a part in some of the other international routes that have come on stream in recent months.
European air routes
There are now seven such scheduled destinations from Belfast International – with only a limited number of further routes that are likely to prove viable.
Continental Airlines operates daily flights from Edinburgh to New York.
It also operates a direct route from Dublin to New York.
In September 2001, Irish airline Aer Lingus dropped the Belfast/Shannon leg of its New York service from Belfast International Airport.
The airline said the move was part of a cost cutting programme following the terrorist attacks in America earlier that month.
In March this year, four new direct European air routes out of Belfast were announced.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/3695516.stm
Despite never flying them, CO have really won a place in my hearts, they seem to be the only airline willing to have a go at USA flights from regional airports. Lets hope it all goes ahead as planned, and when LBA has its runway extension, maybe they can move in there! 😀
By: andrewm - 28th September 2004 at 23:26
This news can be given the title of “worst kept secret” at BFS. Everyone, even your granny, knew about this as BFS was keen to get public support without officall launching to show CO it would be a good route.
My ticket will be booked soon 😀
By: andrewm - 28th September 2004 at 23:26
This news can be given the title of “worst kept secret” at BFS. Everyone, even your granny, knew about this as BFS was keen to get public support without officall launching to show CO it would be a good route.
My ticket will be booked soon 😀
By: Future Pilot - 28th September 2004 at 18:41
Continental is a great airline imo; I flew with them 3 years ago; MAN-EWR-IAH on their 767/777/DC10 a/c. All flights were very good from memory, pleasant cabin crew, decent food(for an airline) and good IFE.
I agree, flew with them in August; BHX-EWR-LAS and back on their 752/738 a/c. I found all flights with them very enjoyable, friendly cabin crew anf flightdeck crew, basically everything you have already said ‘dc10fan’ 😀
By: Future Pilot - 28th September 2004 at 18:41
Continental is a great airline imo; I flew with them 3 years ago; MAN-EWR-IAH on their 767/777/DC10 a/c. All flights were very good from memory, pleasant cabin crew, decent food(for an airline) and good IFE.
I agree, flew with them in August; BHX-EWR-LAS and back on their 752/738 a/c. I found all flights with them very enjoyable, friendly cabin crew anf flightdeck crew, basically everything you have already said ‘dc10fan’ 😀
By: Robert Hamilton - 28th September 2004 at 18:12
wow i emailed continental about 2 weeks ago and they said the were not even thinking about this!! just come to show you
By: Robert Hamilton - 28th September 2004 at 18:12
wow i emailed continental about 2 weeks ago and they said the were not even thinking about this!! just come to show you
By: BFS - 28th September 2004 at 18:05
Cant wait until this flight starts. Will be great tos ee more variety at BFS.
By: BFS - 28th September 2004 at 18:05
Cant wait until this flight starts. Will be great tos ee more variety at BFS.
By: dc10fan - 28th September 2004 at 16:42
Continental is a great airline imo; I flew with them 3 years ago; MAN-EWR-IAH on their 767/777/DC10 a/c. All flights were very good from memory, pleasant cabin crew, decent food(for an airline) and good IFE.
By: dc10fan - 28th September 2004 at 16:42
Continental is a great airline imo; I flew with them 3 years ago; MAN-EWR-IAH on their 767/777/DC10 a/c. All flights were very good from memory, pleasant cabin crew, decent food(for an airline) and good IFE.
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September 28, 2004 at 4:02 pm