Business

EasyJet announces Belfast air links to Inverness and Corfu from June

EasyJet says it will offer routes from Belfast to Corfu from June
EasyJet says it will offer routes from Belfast to Corfu from June EasyJet says it will offer routes from Belfast to Corfu from June

LOW-cost carrier easyJet is planning tnew routes from Belfast International Airport to Inverness in Scotland and to the Greek island of Corfu from the end of June - if it's allowed to fly.

The budget airline, which in November slumped to the first ever full-year loss in its 25-year history as the coronavirus crisis plunged it into the red by £1.27 billion, has put more than 14,000 seats to both destinations on sale from £22.99 one way.

But is comes with caveats as air travel remains in a state of flux and confusion right now.

Earlier this week people returning to the UK from 33 countries were told they will have to pay for hotel quarantine to stop Covid variants from South Africa and South America from entering the country. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines or even a prison sentence.

EasyJet has already suspended most of its flights between Aldergrove and key European destinations like Paris, Krakow and Lanzarote, and has warned it expects to fly no more than around 20 per cent of planned services in the first quarter of its year to next September as travel restrictions have decimated demand.

But Belfast International's business development director Uel Hoey says it is “fantastic” to see positive air travel developments coming down the track for summer and beyond.

He added: “The Covid-enforced curtailment of the past year has served to remind everyone of just how central a liberty and lifestyle issue the freedom to travel and experience different surroundings has become.

“But we look forward to welcoming our returning passengers, as well as the new ones, travelling to Inverness and Corfu just as soon as circumstances permit.”

EasyJet says all its flights and holidays are covered by its ‘Protection Promise’ cover, which means that if customers plans change, so can their booking.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager said: “We know that people want to travel as soon as they can and as soon as it is safe to do so and we want to ensure they have more destinations to choose from when making a booking.

“Right now we want to focus on offering a network of attractive destinations and ensure we are ready to ramp up our flights when they can safely take to the skies again.”

Flights to Inverness and Corfu will both operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the peak summer season, starting from June 28.