Flybe announces new routes from Belfast City

Devon-based airline Flybe has announced new routes from Belfast City Airport to three locations in the UK.

The announcement came less than a week after budget airline Ryanair announced it was pulling out of Belfast on 30 October.

Flybe has said it will fly to Bristol, East Midlands and Liverpool, three routes previously provided by Ryanair.

The company has also said it will locate two additional aircraft at the airport.

According to a Flybe spokesperson, the plan has the potential to create "250 indirect jobs adding to the 215 already directly employed by Flybe in Belfast".

From 31 October, the airline will operate two daily flights to Bristol, two daily flights to East Midlands and four daily flights to Liverpool.

Welcoming the announcement Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: "I congratulate the airport operator for acting quickly to fill these routes, which were vacated by Ryanair".

"Tourism Ireland will be working with Flybe in Great Britain to maximise the promotion of these new routes."