News: Continental launch New York flights from Belfast
Flights > News > # 471 (27/05/2005)
Continental Airlines have launched daily non-stop Boeing 757 flights between Belfast and New York Newark. This is the only year-round scheduled non-stop trans-Atlantic service from Northern Ireland and the first non-stop scheduled service ever to operate from the region to the USA.
Jim Summerford, Continental's Vice President Europe, Middle East & India, said:
"We're proud to bring our award-winning service to Northern Ireland and to make life easier for people travelling between Belfast and the United States. They no longer need to drive to Dublin or fly east to fly west by traveling via Heathrow or other European hubs - they can fly non-stop to New York from their local airport."
Enterprise Minister Angela Smith and Dean Pittman, US. Consul General, joined Jim Summerford and Albert Harrison OBE, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, at the launch celebrations. Also in attendance were guests from the region's business community and travel industry.
Albert Harrison said:
"This is a momentous day for Belfast International Airport as we welcome our first ever Continental Airlines scheduled service. Above all else the introduction of Continental's multi-award winning services from Belfast has massively raised the profile of Northern Ireland and Belfast International Airport in the eyes of those businesses and airlines seeking to spread their wings within the global market. This initiative will undoubtedly deliver untold direct benefit into the Northern Ireland economy in the months and years ahead, and positions Belfast as a true alternative international access point to and from the island of Ireland."
Bill McGinnis CBE, Chairman of Air Route Development Ltd, commented:
"The launch of this new route is a major success for the air route development scheme. It will provide direct and quicker access to North America, one of our target markets and the world's most influential economy. The new route will assist the further growth of inbound tourism. This is great news for the Northern Ireland business community and economy."
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