EasyJet to resume some flights from Belfast from mid-June
EasyJet is to resume flights from a number of UK airports from 15 June, including Belfast International.
The airline announced that its initial schedule will involve mainlydomestic flying in the UK and France.
Further routes will be confirmed 'over the coming weeks' as demand increases and coronavirus lockdown measures across Europe are relaxed, the company said.
UK airports to be served by easyJet from 15 June include Belfast, Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
The only international route from the UK will be between Gatwick and Nice in France.
As part of new safety and hygiene measures, passengers and crew will berequired to wear masks in airports and on aircraft.
There will be no food sold during flights, enhanced cleaning of planes, anddisinfection wipes and hand sanitiser made available to passengers.
The following routes will be operational again from Belfast International from 15 June:
Birmingham
Bristol
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London Gatwick
Liverpool
Newcastle
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "I am really pleased that we will be returning to flying in the middle of June.
"These are small and carefully planned steps that we are taking to graduallyresume operations.
"We will continue to closely monitor the situation across Europe so that, when more restrictions are lifted, the schedule will continue to build over time to match demand, while also ensuring we are operating efficiently and on routes that our customers want.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers remains our highest priority, which is why we are implementing a number of measures to enhance safety at each part of the journey, from disinfecting the aircraft to requiring customers and crew to wear masks.
"These measures will remain in place for as long as is needed to ensurecustomers and crew are able to fly safely as the world continues to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic."
Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie welcomed the announcement.
"As Northern Ireland and the UK’s largest airline, it is a welcome and reassuring sign that EasyJet remains committed to its local routes and keeping NI open and connected for business," he said.
"We will be ready to accommodate these flights and our teams have been working round the clock to ensure that all measures will be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all those who pass through the airport.
"Public safety is and must be the number one priority at all times and we will be working very closely with easyJet and the other operators who plan to commence operations soon to ensure we are all in a position to safely allow passengers back into the airport."
EasyJet admitted on Tuesday that nine million of its passengers had their email addresses and travel details exposed in a 'highly sophisticated'.
An additional 2,200 customers also had their credit card details stolen.
The airline insisted there is "no evidence that any personal information ofany nature has been misused".