Business

Eastern Airways to resume flights at Belfast City Airport from June 22

EASTERN Airways will resume operations at Belfast City Airport from June 22 as airlines begin to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown.

Aer Lingus is the only airline which maintained commercial flights at the east Belfast airport during the pandemic.

Activity was already significantly down following the collapse of anchor airline Flybe in early March.

Eastern Airways returned to Belfast in January with a new connection to Teesside International Airport and later took on Flybe’s route to Southampton.

The airline said it will operate an initial daily weekday service to both destinations from June 22, with the frequency increasing throughout the summer months.

It said services will be carefully re-introduced as restrictions are eased, with extensive cleaning measures on-board and throughout all aspects of the airport.

Roger Hage of Eastern Airways said the restart had been carefully considered: “We will continue to increase frequency including the return of weekend services as demand returns along with adding new routes to our network. All services will ensure the safest procedures for our customer care are offered in conjunction with our airport partners.”

Belfast City Airport’s commercial director Katy Best, added: “The wellbeing of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance and measures are in place throughout the terminal to enable social distancing with signage visible throughout the airport.

“Staff have also been deployed to maintain the sanitisation of the terminal throughout the day.

"Passengers who have to travel can therefore be assured their journey through the airport will be socially distanced and that hand washing and sanitising units are available in all public areas.”