This story was published in the Belfast Newsletter
British Midland is to axe its service from Belfast International Airport (BIA) to London Heathrow next spring, but the airline plans to introduce flights to two European destinations from Belfast City Airport, the News Letter has learned.
According to an airline industry source, BMI is planning to begin non-stop flights to Paris and Brussels from the City airport from May.
BMI refused to confirm the launch of the new routes, but it is understood the airline has applied for landing slots at airports in both European capitals.
It is expected that the London Heathrow service from BIA, which has already been reduced from five flights a day to three, will cease at around the same time as the international flights begin from the City Airport.
This will be the first time a non-stop service between Belfast and Paris has been available and the first international scheduled flights to operate from the City Airport.
The only European destination offered by Belfast International is to Amsterdam, with easyJet.
In the past British Midland has offered services to Paris from BIA via Heathrow or East Midlands Airport, while flybe currently flies from Belfast City to the French capital via Heathrow and Gatwick.
Sabena offered a three times a day service from BIA to Brussels until it was axed a year ago.
BMI, which currently operates eight daily flights from the City Airport to London Heathrow, has in recent months been steadily reducing its presence at Belfast International Airport.
The airline closed its business lounge at BIA at the end of October and BMI business passengers now use the airport’s Fitzwilliam lounge.
This month the airline carried 3,500 passengers per week on the BIA to London Heathrow route, half the number it did last month.
Also in October, it changed from using the 156 seater Airbus 320 aircraft on the route to the 106 seater Fokker planes.
BMI’s move to the Belfast City Airport and the launch of new services is another
blow to Belfast International Airport, which has lost a series of major flag carriers, some of whom were flying non-stop to international destinations.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, BA axed its Belfast to London Heathrow shuttle service, while BMI moved the majority of its services to the City Airport.
Aer Lingus cancelled its services to New York and Boston and Sabena ended flights to Brussels.
However, easyJet has indicated that it is eager to launch international services to European destinations from BIA, with Paris and Malaga top of its list.