Spanish low-cost airline Vueling is to start its first service from Northern Ireland with flights from George Best Belfast City airport to Barcelona.
The twice-weekly service will run from next May as one of a number of new routes from its Barcelona El Prat base.
Belfast City airport chief executive Brian Ambrose said: “It remains our aim to attract new airlines to Northern Ireland and facilitate more direct European routes from Belfast.
“We are therefore delighted that Vueling has chosen to include Belfast City airport as one of a select few UK airports in its plans to expand its network.
“The hugely popular European airline, which carries a high percentage of business travellers, has an extensive network with over 100 destinations across Europe including Paris, Brussels, Rome, Madrid and has a growing presence in Russia, North Africa and Scandinavia.
“This is a very exciting opportunity to work with Vueling whose strategy is to partner with airports that have high levels of customer service and are aimed at business travellers.”
Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said: “We look forward to co-operating with Vueling to maximise the promotion of this new service from Barcelona.
“As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.
“Tourism Ireland is committed to working with Vueling, Belfast City airport and other tourism interests, through co-operative marketing, to drive demand for this new service – as we work with other carriers and partners to promote and help maintain vital routes and services to Northern Ireland.”