Passengers welcome the new Flybe Belfast to London City route!

Flybe are set to fly directly from Belfast to London City Airport from October. Passengers are excited about the new route. Here's what they had to say in the terminal today: 

Michael Gaffney & Martin Green 

Business travellers Michael Gaffney and Martin Green welcomed the new route. 

"It's great to be able to fly right into the heart of a destination and go straight to meetings, " Michael said.  

"From a business perspective we find Flybe routes handy and easy to use. Not to mention the convenience of the self-service check-in, " Martin added. 

L-R Bernie Connolly, Martina Clancy and Tiarnan Daily

Passenger Tiarnan Daily is considering a move to London soon. 

He said the new route will make it easier for him to get to London city centre and for him to fly home.

Passenger John Carson is pleased about the new route: "It will make getting into London so handy. Especially for football fans. If you like Chelsea it couldn't be any better."

Tasha Bradley & John Carson 

Passenger Eoghan McCarthy is happy about the London City news. "I welcome more routes and variety being added to the airports' range of destinations," he said.

Eoghan McCarthy

Find out more about the new Flybe Belfast to London City Airport route  http://tinyurl.com/kk9zlwa 

Fly in for the Giro d'Italia Big Start 2014

Belfast and Northern Ireland are hosting the Giro d'Italia Big Start (Grande Partenza) from 8 - 11 May 2014 with three days of unmissable cycling action and a special pre-race event in Belfast on 8 May: Giro Opening - Come Meet the Riders! 

This is one of professional cycling's three Grand Tour events with over 200 of the top professional cyclists from across the globe taking part.

There will be a range of events and activities before and during the races, including a fabulous celebration worthy of Italian cycling traditions and the maglia rosa (the pink jersey).

For more information, go to visit-belfast.com/giro

Giro Opening Event - 8 May

This is your chance to see your cycling idols up close and personal. The nine riders from each of the 22 teams will be presented along with a range of entertainment to celebrate the Big Start in Belfast. This event at Belfast City Hall is free to attend but will be ticketed access. Tickets will be limited to two per person. Find out more >>

Free tickets will be released to the public on a first-come, first-served basis at 9am, Thursday 24 April via:

• online at visit-belfast.com
• in person at Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, opposite Belfast City Hall (9 Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GJ) - view map

There will be a designated accessible viewing area within the event site. Tickets for this area are limited and only available by telephone booking from 9am on 24 April 2014. To book, please call Visit Belfast Welcome Centre 028 9024 6609. Accessible tickets are limited to one per person and an accompanying guest.

Stage One - 9 May 

Stage One of the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland is a team time trial (21.7km) through Belfast, taking the following route. Find out more >>

Stage Two - 10 May

Stage Two begins and ends in Belfast with a 218km route via the Causeway Coast.Find out more >>

Stage three - 11 May

Stage Three starts in The Mall, Armagh and finishes in Dublin city centre. Find out more >>

Get on Yer Bike! Festival

An eight-day Giro festival, from 3-11 May, will celebrate all things Giro including films, exhibitions, tours, street entertainment, cookery classes and much more. Find out more >>

More information

Road closures - Traffic Watch NI
www.trafficwatchni.com/giro 

Public Transport Diversions - Translink
www.translink.co.uk/giro

For further information, visit www.girostart2014.com or follow @girostart2014 on Twitter (hash tag #girostart2014) and facebook.com/GiroStart2014

Useful telephone numbers

DRD Traffic and Travel Tel: 028 9025 3000
PSNI (Police) Tel: 101

Flybe Announces New Route From Belfast To London City Airport

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, is delighted to announce that it has signed a five-year agreement with London City Airport which will see the introduction of a new direct service from George Best Belfast City Airport into the heart of London.

From Monday 27th October 2014, Flybe will offer three times daily services between the two city centre airports.   This brings the total number of direct destinations offered by Flybe from Northern Ireland to 14 making it the largest airline operating at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Flybe expects that the new route will appeal to both business and leisure passengers in Northern Ireland and those based in the City of London and Canary Wharf whose travel plans are time-critical and who will appreciate the reduced transfer times compared to flying from / to Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton.   London City airport is conveniently located in the heart of the financial capital with connections offered every ten minutes by Docklands Light Railway, meaning that passengers can be in Canary Wharf in 12 minutes – and, via the London Underground, in Westminster in just 24!

Flybe is also aiming to Europe’s most punctual airline. It recently launched a new world-first 60:60 guarantee that promises its customers if a flight arrives more than 60 minutes’ late at its destination due to a delay within Flybe’s control, they will qualify for a £60 voucher towards their next flight as long as they book within 60 days.

Saad Hammad, Flybe’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "We’re delighted to announce this new service between Belfast and London City Airport.  Today’s news is a significant landmark in the re-birth of Flybe. The decision to re-enter the London market at its most convenient airport follows a rigorous profitability analysis utilising our strict ‘Route Assessment Model." 

"Flybe is today already connecting over 7 million passengers a year throughout the UK and Europe.  With this new major London connection from Belfast City, we are not only cementing our position as Europe’s largest regional airline but also upholding our customer promise to be ‘The Fastest Way from A to Flybe." 
Welcoming today’s announcement, Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: “This is excellent news for the Northern Ireland business community who have been seeking this service to London City for some time. It will provide access to the heart of London as well as offering passengers a greater choice in terms of price and flight times. I welcome Flybe’s continued commitment to Northern Ireland.”

Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of George Best Belfast City Airport added: "For over 30 years Flybe has worked alongside Belfast City to offer passengers a UK wide route network.  I have no doubt that London City will prove a popular service especially with business passengers. Flybe’s distinctive brand refresh and new service to London City signals a new era for our business partner and we wish the airline every success."    
 
One way fares including taxes and charges start from £39.99 and are now on sale at www.flybe.com

Fllybe Celebrates First Flight Of Flagship Purple Plane Into Belfast

• Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, celebrates the first landing of its distinctive signature purple Bombardier Q400 aircraft into George Best Belfast City Airport. The newly branded aircraft showcased the cabin crew’s new purple uniform and on-board purple mood lighting, both of which will be rolled out across Flybe’s entire fleet. 
  Welcoming the aircraft to Belfast, Andrea Hayes, Flybe’s Commercial Manager, said, “Flybe’s brand refresh is not only reflected in the look and style of the purple graphics and stylish new uniforms, but also in a new approach to customer service and delivery. Core to our customer promise is providing time-saving efficient travel captured in our new strapline ‘The Fastest Way from A to Flybe’. That commitment is backed by our flagship 60:60 guarantee product which gives passengers a £60 credit towards their next flight booked within 60 days if, through the fault of the airline, their flight arrives more than 60 minutes late.”
  
  The Flybe refresh also includes a new-look website and re-named ticket options stating exactly what they offer: ‘Just Fly’; ‘Get More’; and ‘All In’.
  
  “It’s a brand new era for Flybe,” continued Ms Hayes, “and we look forward with confidence to becoming the UK’s local airline of choice with a focus on time-saving and punctual travel for our regional customers.”
  
  
  
  Pictured: Flybe Cabin Crew & Andrea Hayes (centre) Flybe’s Commercial Manager
• 
  

ASPIRE LOUNGE AT BELFAST CITY AIRPORT OPENS MAY 1ST 2014

A brand new lounge experience is coming soon to George Best Belfast City Airport.

Whether you are flying for business or leisure, discover the secret to happy travel with a visit to the Aspire lounge opening in May 1st 2014.

The lounge, formerly for Flybe corporate passengers will be closed from April 09 to undergo a complete refurbishment. Once the transformation is complete it will reopen to the public.

Conveniently located close to the departure gates but away from the drama and fuss of the main departure hall the Aspire lounge is the perfect place to catch up on some work or completely relax with a drink and a bite to eat before your flight.

Take your pick from a selection of complimentary snacks and treats, complimentary hot and soft drinks and a great choice of beers, wines and spirits. Find a comfortable seat and log on to the free wifi to catch up on some emails or surf the net, or choose one of the complimentary newspapers or magazines to read, or simply sit back and take in the fantastic views of the airfield.

Food, Drink and Facilities
Choose from a selection of snacks, treats and light bites, all complimentary of course. Help yourself to as much or as little as you like.

The Aspire lounge contains a wide range of complimentary premium brand wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks which are available throughout the day. So whether it’s a pre-flight Gin and Tonic or just simply a cappuccino, you're sure to be well catered for within the lounge.

Charging facilities, free wifi, newspapers and magazines are also available in the lounge with our compliments.

However you wish to spend time before your flight, you'll find everything that you need in the Aspire lounge at Belfast City Airport.

For booking details find out more: http://goo.gl/ckJDWB

Come in tights to win some flights!

Robin Hoods, Maid Marians and Merry Men are invited to don a pair of tights or medieval attire and strike a heroic pose to win return LinksAir flights for you and a friend to Doncaster Sheffield airport & a one night stay at the Crown Hotel in Bawtry.

The top three photos voted by the public will win! Enter our photo contest now: http://bit.ly/1dPXQxo

Direct flights to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport from George Best Belfast City Airport commence on Friday 11^th April 2014. The twice daily service, operated by UK regional airline LinksAir will allow passengers to access the whole of Yorkshire.


The Crown Hotel in Bawtry is just a 5 minute drive from Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

You can stay in a  fabulous executive bedrooms with mood lighting, photographic wallpaper, sunken bed and rainfall shower.

Enjoy dinner in the Crown restaurant with a choice of locally sourced dishes including grills, pasta, fish and our famous sharing platters.

Finally set up your departure day with a Crown full Yorkshire breakfast. The hotel will throw in a nice chilled bottle of Prosecco to your bedroom on arrival at the Crown.

LinksAir Hotel Offer

Special LinksAir accommodation rates are available at the Crown from £70 per night – please contact package coordinator Katey at sales@crownhotel-bawtry.com and quote ‘LinksAir’ to enquire about rates on your travel dates.

Competition T&Cs