New low-fare airline plans to launch transatlantic services from Belfast
Fly Atlantic, a new low-fare transatlantic airline, hopes to begin commercial operations in the summer of 2024.
The carrier says it will link cities in Europe through its hub in…
Fly Atlantic, a new low-fare transatlantic airline, hopes to begin commercial operations in the summer of 2024.
The carrier says it will link cities in Europe through its hub in Belfast with North America.
Fly Atlantic intends to operate to 35 destinations from the Northern Irish city, creating 21,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.
It will initially operate six aircraft from Belfast International Airport – either the Boeing 737 MAX or the Airbus A321 – and the fleet will grow to 18 by 2028.
However the airline will face stiff competition on transatlantic routes from Dublin airport.
‘Gamechanger’
Andrew Pyne, Fly Atlantic’s chief executive, said the planned launch would be a “gamechanger”.
“The lack of direct transatlantic air services has clearly been an impediment to Northern Ireland’s economic and tourism development, which we now intend to remove. The project can be a gamechanger,” he told the PA news agency.
“We will be offering affordable fares with brand new aircraft. We already have offices at the airport and will now be building out the infrastructure to support the airline’s launch. We start recruiting for the team early in 2023.
“We looked at many options throughout the UK and Ireland. Belfast International and Vinci stood out in terms of the facilities that they offered us and by their enthusiasm for and commitment to making this project a reality.
“Northern Ireland has a proud aviation and engineering history, and we are delighted to be able to build on this tradition as we develop the airline and its support functions.”
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