Aer Lingus launches Belfast to Barcelona flights

Tuesday December 11th , 2007

New flights to Spain have been launched from Belfast International Airport by Irish airline Aer Lingus.

The roll-out of these services has been described as a watershed moment for air travel in Northern Ireland, as it makes mainland Europe far more accessible from the province.

This means that places such as Barcelona are likely to attract a larger number of business and leisure travellers.

As a result, the demand for rental accommodation will also increase, leading to the creation of new opportunities for overseas property buyers in Spain.

Aer Lingus is also set to launch new services to Malaga in February 2008, further opening up the Spanish market to consumers in Northern Ireland.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said: "We're making a very substantial commitment to Belfast from day one."

He added that establishing itself in the province would be an important long-term investment.

According to figures from e-Travel Blackboard, more than 58 million international holidaymakers visited Spain last year.