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Brexit casts doubt on Ryanair's expansion plans from Belfast

Ryanair returned to Belfast this year following a six year absence
Ryanair returned to Belfast this year following a six year absence Ryanair returned to Belfast this year following a six year absence

RYANAIR'S future expansion plans for its new Belfast base appear in some doubt after the carrier ruled out deploying any new planes in the UK.

The budget airline returned to the city this year with a new hub at Belfast International Airport.

It has already started a service to London Gatwick with several more routes to be added later this year including to Berlin, Milan and Warsaw.

There is no suggestion that the airline's upcoming winter schedule is in jeopardy.

However, ambitious plans by Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary to serve as many as 40 destinations from Aldergrove could be hindered by the outcome of the EU membership referendum.

The airline, which called for a 'remain' vote in last Thursday's election has said it would focus on European Union countries after Brexit was backed by the UK electorate.

"It’s unlikely we will base any additional aircraft in the UK in 2017 as they will be allocated to European Union airports instead,” a Ryanair spokeswoman said.

Ryanair has around 100 million passengers a year, 40m of which fly in and out of UK airports where London Stansted is its largest hub.

Earlier this week , Mr O’Leary told the Wall Street Journal the airline planned to “pivot all of our growth into the European Union".

Ryanair is back in Belfast after a six-year absence with planned routes including a string of sun destinations such as Alicante, Lanzarote, Malaga and Tenerife in addition to several routes to Poland.

The expansion is expected to create hundreds of jobs at Belfast International Airport.

Ryanair had previously operated from George Best Belfast City Airport but left in 2010 when a planned runway extension failed to materialise.

The airline has previously said its growth plans for Aldergrove were dependent on the government moving to scrap air passenger duty (APD).

A spokeswoman for Ryanair told the Irish News: "Ryanair will continue to grow strongly in Europe and offer the lowest fares in Europe and the UK. Following last week's Brexit result, it's unlikely we will base any additional aircraft in the UK in 2017, as they will be allocated to European Union airports instead.

"Our operations in the UK will continue as normal, however if the UK leaves the single market we may apply for a UK AOC (air operators certificate), in order to continue our UK flights as at present."