Business

Flybe marks 15 years of Belfast-Southampton air link

Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel, and Ken Harrower, Flybe county manager Ireland, celebrate 15 years of Flybe flights connecting Belfast to Southampton
Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel, and Ken Harrower, Flybe county manager Ireland, celebrate 15 years of Flybe flights connecting Belfast to Southampton Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel, and Ken Harrower, Flybe county manager Ireland, celebrate 15 years of Flybe flights connecting Belfast to Southampton

REGIONAL airline Flybe has marked 15 years of connecting passengers between George Best Belfast City Airport and Southampton.

Since launching in 2003, the route has continually grown and now offers three flights a day to the English south coast.

Flybe's Ireland country manager Ken Harrower said: "Southampton has proved to be an incredibly popular route offering easy access to the whole south coast of England and many fantastic attractions such as the New Forest and the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

"It is also a vital link for leisure passengers from Northern Ireland who wish to go on cruise holidays. With three flights each day, choice and convenience is second-to-none and we keep close communication with the cruise agents to ensure that our services provide optimum connections."

Sandra Corkin, managing director of Oasis Travel, added: "The cruise market in Northern Ireland is growing at a terrific rate. Pricing is becoming more competitive, the range of destinations available out of Southampton is increasing and the whole concept of cruising has gained in popularity across a new demographic including families and young people.

"Flybe's daily frequency from Belfast to Southampton has enhanced the attraction of cruising to local customers and has made a significant contribution to the ongoing success of this specialist holiday market."

Southampton is one of 14 routes operated by Flybe from Northern Ireland including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Exeter, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, London City, Liverpool and Manchester.