easyJet, Europe’s leading low cost airline today announced it is expanding its Northern Ireland  operations with three new routes connecting Belfast International Airport with Inverness, Geneva and Palma (Majorca).

The Inverness service will be daily and the Geneva and Palma services will be four times weekly.

The new routes start on Friday 1 July 2005, with fares to Inverness from £17.99 one way (£30.98 return including taxes and changes). Whilst Geneva and Palma fares are from £22.99 and £27.99 one way respectively. Seats will be on sale at easyjet.com next week.

easyJet recognises the great potential for direct low cost services connecting Northern Ireland with attractive cities throughout Europe and a greater choice of routes will foster more business and leisure travel in both directions to benefit the local economy.

The introduction of these new routes will increase the number of aircraft operating through Belfast International Airport to eight, with 84 daily services to a choice of 17 routes. With close to 3 million passengers travelling through the Belfast base in the last 12 months, it has become one of easyJet’s fastest growing bases, an increase of 9% compared to last year.

Ray Webster, easyJet Chief Executive, said: "Following the success of our direct services to Spain and France, easyJet is delighted to be adding Geneva, Inverness and Palma to our network.

“easyJet views Belfast as a vibrant and highly attractive market with great potential and we look forward to announcing more new routes to main city destination airports in the near future.”

The new air link at Inverness is the latest route development success for HIAL.

Inverness Airport Manager James Walton said: “Inverness is a significant regional airport and its growth makes a major contribution to the Highland economy. We expect that the new service will attract both leisure and business travellers and bring many more visitors into the region.”

Alex Johnson, HIAL’s Commercial and Marketing Manager, said: “Passenger numbers at Inverness are growing by 21% this year and the new Belfast service lays the foundations for further growth in 2005. Inverness has the greatest development potential of our 10 airports and we remain focused on achieving more new routes that will ensure the Highland capital and the region enjoy good air connectivity.”

ENDS