A new route and extra frequency on three others from Belfast has been confirmed by Ryanair at the launch of its winter schedule from Northern Ireland.
Kaunas in Lithuania – home to a top European Christmas market – will be served with four flights a week from October 27 while Alicante, Krakow and Stansted gain additional capacity as part of a 13-route network.
The no-frills carrier said it had switched more than 50,000 seats to Belfast, including flights for key sporting fixtures, school holidays and Christmas, to drive extra traffic due to what it claimed as an “artificial traffic cap” at Dublin airport blamed on a 2007 road traffic restriction.
Ryanair has two aircraft based at Belfast international an expects to carrying more than 1.2 million passengers to and from the airport this year, also driving year-round inbound tourism.
The airline returned to the airport last year and has seen 64% growth compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “Since reopening Ryanair’s base in 2023, we have grown and invested heavily in the region with two based aircraft and support of over 850 local jobs, as well as driving important inbound tourism year-round.
“Through our ongoing investment, we have grown our Belfast operation by 64% verses pre-Covid levels, and we will continue to grow at Belfast, have recently switched over 50,000 winter seats from Dublin due to the 2007 traffic cap rendering Dublin airport closed for business.”
Airport chief executive Dan Owens said: “Since returning to Belfast International airport, Ryanair has offered local passengers’ greater choice and connectivity with fantastic routes on offer.
“Today’s announcement that they will deliver 13 routes over the winter period including an exciting new destination such as Kaunas in Lithuania only grows this offering.
“The additional flights to Alicante, Krakow and London strengthen Ryanair’s presence in Northern Ireland and is warmly welcomed by all.”