Aer Lingus is temporarily suspending flights to five destinations from Belfast International Airport this winter.

It is removing an aircraft from the airport and launching new flights to Tenerife.

As a result, it is suspending flights to Faro, Barcelona, Milan, Rome and Paris for four months.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the airline stressed it was not unusual for airlines to reduce schedules in the winter and said it remained committed to flying from Belfast.

But commenting on the suspension, easyJet spokesman Andrew McConnell said: “This shows the folly of high-cost Aer Lingus trying to compete with low-cost easyJet.

“They’re running away from Belfast, but how long before they run away from Gatwick too.”

The two airlines compete head to head on routes from Belfast to Faro, Barcelona, and Paris.

Arch rival Ryanair was also quick to issue a statement.

“Since it opened its Belfast base in December 2007 Aer Lingus has launched and cancelled nine routes from Belfast International in just over a year as its high fares fail to attract
passengers," said Stephen McNamara.

"Today’s announcement of yet more cancelations is simply rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic that is Aer Lingus."

Aer Lingus also confirmed that flights will be reduced from Dublin with a number of aircraft taken out of the fleet.


By Bev Fearis