Ryanair to return to Belfast International Airport

Ryanair is set to recommence flights from Belfast International Airport from summer 2023.

The budget airline announced it was withdrawing from the Northern Irish airport in August last year, blaming the level of Air Passenger Duty as the reason.

However, it has today (July 7) confirmed it will once again operate routes from the regional airport from next summer, with a fleet of two aircraft.

More: Ryanair and Wizz Air report surge in June carryings

The airline will operate more than 115 weekly flights on 12 domestic and international routes, including Alicante, Faro, Barcelona-Girona, Malaga, East Midlands, Edinburgh, London Stansted and Manchester.

Dan Owens, chief financial officer for Belfast International Airport, said: “The airport plays a pivotal role and is a key asset in aviation and tourism recovery after a challenging couple of years.

“This is a significant investment, bringing job creation and positive news for our passengers and the region. It increases the number of destinations now available from the airport to over 70 domestic and international destinations, offering more choice than ever for travellers.

“Improving connectivity for the region is key for the aviation sector and economic growth.”

Ryanair’s director of commercial Jason McGuinness welcomed the news, but urged the government to “immediately” remove aviation taxes and warned the UK is “at risk of losing air traffic to competing European countries”.

He said: “To enable additional investment from Ryanair (and other airlines) from next summer onward, the UK government must immediately scrap aviation taxes for all flights, otherwise it will put the UK (an island-based economy) at risk of losing air traffic to competing European countries.”