Aer Lingus Regional adds routes from Belfast to Cardiff and Southampton

Emerald Airlines has announced the addition of two services from Belfast City airport, as part of the carrier’s franchise agreement with Aer Lingus.

Emerald will operate five flights per week to Cardiff from July 7, with six weekly flights to Southampton launching on the same day. Full timetables for both services can be seen below.

Eastern Airways had previously been operating the Belfast City-Cardiff route, but as we reported this service was dropped in January. At the time it was questioned whether Aer Lingus might take over the route.

Cardiff loses its only link to Belfast

Eastern Airways continues to fly between Belfast City and Southampton, and Flybe is also set to operate the route from July 28.

Cardiff and Southampton will join Aer Lingus Regional’s six existing services from Belfast City to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Exeter and Manchester.

Commenting on the news Ellie McGimpsey, aviation development manager at Belfast City Airport, said:

“Aer Lingus Regional’s base at Belfast City Airport has been operational for just over three months and we are thrilled to already see expansion in both the number of routes served by the airline and the frequency of its services.

“With the addition of Cardiff and Southampton, Aer Lingus Regional will now operate routes to eight of the 21 destinations Belfast City Airport will fly to this summer.

“We are seeing more and more passengers choosing Belfast City Airport due not only to our extensive choice of flights, but because of our proximity to the city centre – just a five-minute drive – and our excellent security processing times which average six minutes.”

aerlingus.com, emeraldairlines.com

Belfast City – Cardiff schedule

Belfast City – Southampton Schedule