The potential advantage over flying to another UK airport, £12 APD and then to the States, £60 APD is obvious. Well done all involved, I'm sure it wasn't easy but for CO, Passengers and NIPLC it is a great result.
It will be interest to see whether BFS sees an increase in "connecting" passengers from GB: first flight in on a cheapie U2, LS, EI flight and then onwards with CO. An 11:15 int'l departure shouldn't be too tight for many domestic arrivals.