Belfast: Aer Lingus answer customers’ demand for 4th Heathrow

The airline currently flies three times a day to and from London and the new flight time of 11.20 will give passengers greater flexibility when travelling to the city. It means that from March 28 next year Aer Lingus passengers can choose from four daily flights in each direction between Belfast International and London Heathrow.

"Our low fares have just become available more often for those travelling to London and of course for those coming here for business and pleasure," said Enda Corneille, Aer Lingus director of corporate affairs. "It's particularly good for businessmen and women and for public representatives looking for greater flexibility in their travel arrangements.

"While the high fares of our rival bmi have been forcing them to cut frequency to Heathrow, demand for our low fares and high quality service has paved the way for this fourth daily flight and we are delighted to announce it will start early next year as part of the summer schedule."

More than 1.3 million people have booked with Aer Lingus from their base at Belfast International Airport since operations began in December 2007. The airline invested more than £100m and employed 100 in servicing routes to Europe, including Heathrow. It was the first ever investment in a new base outside the Republic and has proved to be a success.

"We have brought much needed competition to the Northern Ireland marketplace and passengers have voted with their feet and are flying with us in their droves," said Mr Corneille. "The combination of low fares and high quality service has proved popular. "We've listened to what our customers have been telling us and the result is this fourth daily flight to London's most popular airport. Indeed, what we find is that when someone tries Aer Lingus they fly with us again and again and we thank them for their continued support."

Full details of destinations and the low fares on offer can be found at aerlingus.com

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 05-Nov-09