In 20 years of operations, easyJet has grown to be the largest airline at Belfast International Airport and in Northern Ireland, flying 54 million passengers in that time with over four million flown last year.
The airline’s very first flight from Belfast – to London Luton – took off on the evening of Friday, September 18, 1998 and since then the airline has gone from strength to strength. This year easyJet welcomed its sixth A320 family aircraft to the base and launched four new routes to the Isle of Man, Valencia, Venice and Naples, bringing the number of easyJet routes now serving Belfast to 35.
EasyJet now carries more passengers from Belfast to Spain and Portugal than any other airline and links Belfast with more London airports than any other airline, providing up to 200 flights a week.
This month easyJet recorded its busiest flying day in history and carried over 330,000 passengers on its flights last Friday, September 14; over 18,500 of these passengers flew to or from Belfast.
The airline is today celebrating with Q Radio with the Q Breakfast team Stephen and Cate, who are hosting their show live from behind the scenes at easyJet’s crew room at Belfast International Airport.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 20th Birthday at Belfast International Airport.
“For two decades we are proud to have been providing passengers with an ever-growing range of destinations, all with low fares and great service. In fact, with fares as low as £18.70 that’s 37 per cent cheaper than when we launched our first route for £29.99 from Belfast to London Luton.
“Our ongoing growth at Belfast International Airport demonstrates easyJet’s long-term commitment to Northern Ireland and as the largest airline we are proud to have carried 54 million passengers in that time.
“We look forward to providing even more choice for our Belfast customers in the years ahead.”
