Eastern Airways' Newcastle Route Launches at Belfast City Airport

Eastern Airways today launched its new non-stop service from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Newcastle – less than six months after the airline first entered the Northern Ireland market.

The UK regional airline is now providing a convenient, daily weekday service to the north east of England, with Visit Belfast welcoming the return of a Newcastle route to Belfast City Airport.

Eastern Airways entered the local market in March 2017 re-establishing Northern Ireland’s only air link to the Isle of Man less than 48 hours after Citywing’s liquidation.

Andy Mathieson, Eastern Airways’ Commercial Manager - Northern Ireland, said:

“We are pleased to be offering a new, non-stop service between Belfast City and Newcastle, linking these busy centres of industry as well as opening up access to other parts of Northern Ireland and the north east of England, including Northumberland, Sunderland and Teesside. The short flight and weekday departures make this option particularly convenient for business travellers.”

The Newcastle route was announced by Eastern Airways in July. The non-stop flight will operate daily, Monday to Friday, with prices starting from just £59 one way and bookable at www.easternairways.com

Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport, said:

“Newcastle has always been a very popular destination for passengers and we’re delighted to once again be able to offer this route from Belfast City Airport.

“We have a strong track record of forming successful partnerships with our airlines, and we are thrilled that Eastern Airways has recognised the market potential through the introduction of this new route. We are confident of continuing to grow our UK and European route network further in the future.

“This is a hugely exciting period for Belfast City Airport, with the launch of our Newcastle route following a host of industry award successes. We were named Northern Ireland’s Responsible Company of the Year and one of the two most punctual airports in the UK, as well as being shortlisted for a World Routes Marketing Award for the second successive year.”  

Laurie Scott, Director of Business Development at Visit Belfast, added:

“Great Britain is a primary market for Belfast, driving both leisure and business tourism across the city and beyond, with 41% of Belfast’s overnight visitors coming from Great Britain in 2016.

“Direct air access to the city is key to Visit Belfast, in partnership with the tourism industry, increasing overnight stays to the city, and achieving local and central government targets of doubling the value of tourism to the region.”

Eastern Airways celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year and has two Embraer 170 and three Embraer 145 jets in its fleet, as well as nine Saab 2000s and is the largest operator in the world of Jetstream 41 aircraft with 17.