Northern Ireland

Ryanair flights from Belfast to London cancelled following 'operational review'

Ryanair is set to run just two flights a week from Belfast International Airport to London
Ryanair is set to run just two flights a week from Belfast International Airport to London Ryanair is set to run just two flights a week from Belfast International Airport to London

PASSENGERS booked on Ryanair flights from Belfast to London have had their trips cancelled following an "operational review".

The budget airline contacted passengers on Friday via email to inform them of the cancellations.

The service to Stansted will be reduced to two flights a week from June 2.

Last week The Irish News reported that Ryanair appeared to be slashing its Belfast to London flights – months earlier than planned.

The airline last month released its Belfast International Airport winter schedule, signalling it would run just two flights a week. They will be on Fridays and Sundays.

Ryanair operates three return flights a day between Belfast and Stansted, with an extra flight on Sundays.

On Sunday the Consumer Council said it was aware of the issue and offered advice to passengers affected by the cancellations.

Richard Williams from the organisation said: "Passengers who have been affected by Ryanair's decision to cancel flights should be offered a full refund, or re-routing via alternative transportation at the earliest opportunity.

"The alternative flight does not have to be with Ryanair if a different airline can get you to your final destination earlier.

"Our advice to passengers is to seek the travel option that best suits them when they are arranging alternative travel with Ryanair.

"If you have already made alternative arrangements, and have incurred additional expenses, we advise that you seek to reclaim these from Ryanair."

The news comes just days after Flybe cancelled 10 flights to and from George Best Belfast City Airport.

It cited "seasonality, pilots' end of year leave, Easter holidays, base restructuring and the shortage of pilots across the industry" for the cancellations.