Flights to Portugal have resumed from Belfast International Airport following the easing of travel restrictions in Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Executive announced plans last week to operate a traffic light system similar to that in place in England, Scotland and Wales, and confirmed Portugal would be included on the first Green list.
Four easyJet flights a week to Faro will operate initially, with Jet2 services due to resume in late June. By the summer, there will be 16 flights a week in operation.
Graham Keddie, managing director of Belfast International, said: “We were delighted that Portugal was included on the NI Executive’s green travel list for international travel and it was wonderful to watch local holidaymakers heading off today for a well-earned summer break.
“We look forward to welcoming back more passengers safely and can reassure them that we and our airlines are well prepared with a range of social distancing, hygiene and testing provisions in place throughout the airport.”
Ali Gayward, easyJet UK country manager, added: “We are delighted to be getting back to what we do best today and flying our customers from Belfast on international leisure trips once again either for a break or to reunite with loved ones after many months apart.
“We know the pent-up demand is there – we see it every time that restrictions are eased – and so to cater for it we have put an extra 100,000 seats on sale from the UK, including from Belfast, to Green list destinations to help our customers take to the skies once again.”
Photo: EasyJet cabin crew Lydia Moore and Captain Stewart Campbell pictured with Belfast International Airport business development director Uel Hoey