Would something like this be outside the realms of possibility for Belfast?
Emirates to start Dubai-Athens-Newark flights, likely to irk U.S. carriers | Reuters it would kill two birds with one stone, get a direct link to both UAE and the US. It would be good for connecting pax as well. This will be the first direct year round flight from Athens to the US in a long time. One issue (i'm sure there are plenty) might be the aircraft type and whether BFS could cope with a 777 or similar as Emirates only operate the big aircraft types? It would be great if BFS could attract this kind of fifth freedom flight option.