A new low-cost airline plans to start operations in the northern summer of 2024. It is Fly Atlantic, which would offer transatlantic flights from Belfast International Airport (BFS) with narrow-body aircraft, according to BBC News.
The company will seek to establish itself as a new alternative for air connectivity between the United Kingdom and North America. Fly Atlantic says it plans to have a network of 35 destinations in Europe, the United States and Canada. If realised, the new operator would become the first to link Northern Ireland’s capital with North American cities.
According to The Irish News, the airline plans to begin offering flights with a fleet of six aircraft. Executive Andrew Pyne, who serves as managing director of the project, said they would look at the possibility of leasing Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A321neo aircraft. Plans include the possibility of having eighteen operational airplanes by 2028.
Belfast, a new hub between Europe and North America?
«Our vision is of Belfast as a strong aviation hub linking Europe and North America» Pyne said. «The lack of direct transatlantic air services has clearly been an impediment to Northern Ireland’s economic and tourism development, which we now intend to remove», he added.
Pyne also explained: «We already have offices at the airport and will now be building out the infrastructure to support the airline’s launch». Graham Keddie, managing director of Belfast International Airport, said the new airline would bring «real economic benefits» to Northern Ireland and «further enhance international connectivity».
While Fly Atlantic said it is already in negotiations to raise capital from potential investors, the project is still at an early stage of development. If it moves forward, the next steps for the new company would be to acquire the first aircraft and obtain its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
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