Ryanair Launches 13 New Routes from Belfast for Winter 2025

Ryanair has unveiled its Winter 2025 schedule for Belfast, introducing 13 new routes that promise to enhance travel options for local passengers. The selected destinations include popular winter sun locales such as Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote, and Malaga, alongside vibrant city break options in Budapest, Gdansk, Kaunas, and Krakow. Flights are set to start at a competitive price of £29.99, making these routes accessible to a broad audience.

The airline has stated that this expansion reflects a substantial investment of approximately $200 million and is expected to support over 1,000 local jobs, fostering year-round tourism in Northern Ireland.

Commitment to Growth and Competitive Pricing

Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s Director of Communications, expressed enthusiasm regarding the new schedule, highlighting the airline’s objective to provide more choices at low fares for customers in Northern Ireland. Kirwan pointed out that the new routes are designed to contribute to traffic and tourism growth across Ryanair’s 22 UK airports. The airline plans to introduce 340 new Boeing aircraft over the next eight years to facilitate this growth.

Kirwan also emphasized the need for a competitive market in the UK. She urged Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, to abolish the Air Passenger Duty (APD) to encourage travel and tourism. “In various European nations, such as Sweden and Hungary, governments are eliminating environmental taxes, leading to rapid growth in traffic and jobs. This is a model that could be beneficial for the UK,” she stated.

Local Impact and Future Collaboration

Dan Owens, CEO of Belfast International Airport, welcomed Ryanair’s announcement, noting that the new routes will significantly enhance connectivity for local travelers. He mentioned that increased capacity on vital domestic routes to cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, and London Stansted will also be introduced, alongside additional flights to Alicante.

Owens reiterated Ryanair’s commitment to the local market and echoed the call for the abolition of APD, which he believes hinders growth in the UK regions.

As the Winter 2025 schedule is now available for booking on Ryanair’s website, the airline looks to capitalize on the demand for affordable travel options during the colder months. With flights starting at just £29.99, this initiative may not only boost local tourism but also strengthen the economy in Northern Ireland.