EGPF Forum

Belfast International Airport actively engaging with airlines around reopening a transatlantic route, says CEO

Belfast International Airport in active talks with a number of airlines around the potential reopening of regular transatlantic flights, its new boss has said.

Dan Owens, who was appointed chief executive in March 2024, said the Vinci-owned terminal is also engaging with the Department for the Economy around potential financial support.

The last regular direct flights between Belfast International Airport and the US ceased in 2018.

Darren10 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:49 pm While I admire BFS's ambitions, I really can't see any TATL conmection going ahead without continued substantial government support. UA only continued the service aslong as they did due to the previous support package. with DUB only a couple of hours down the road, it really would take some doing. I do however wish them the very best of luck.

Speedbird Julie wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:34 pm

Darren10 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:49 pm While I admire BFS's ambitions, I really can't see any TATL conmection going ahead without continued substantial government support. UA only continued the service aslong as they did due to the previous support package. with DUB only a couple of hours down the road, it really would take some doing. I do however wish them the very best of luck.

BHX is only an hour up the road from LHR and appears to do quite well.

egpffqtv wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:36 pm

Speedbird Julie wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:34 pm

Darren10 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:49 pm While I admire BFS's ambitions, I really can't see any TATL conmection going ahead without continued substantial government support. UA only continued the service aslong as they did due to the previous support package. with DUB only a couple of hours down the road, it really would take some doing. I do however wish them the very best of luck.

BHX is only an hour up the road from LHR and appears to do quite well.

Zero transatlantic scheduled from BHX too

Iain wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:47 pm

egpffqtv wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:36 pm

Speedbird Julie wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:34 pm

BHX is only an hour up the road from LHR and appears to do quite well.

Zero transatlantic scheduled from BHX too

But it does have 2x daily EK, QR, SV, AI (and PK if they're ever allowed back to the UK!).

Speedbird Julie wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:34 pm

Darren10 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:49 pm While I admire BFS's ambitions, I really can't see any TATL conmection going ahead without continued substantial government support. UA only continued the service aslong as they did due to the previous support package. with DUB only a couple of hours down the road, it really would take some doing. I do however wish them the very best of luck.

BHX is only an hour up the road from LHR and appears to do quite well.

Darren10 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:19 pm

Speedbird Julie wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 9:34 pm

Darren10 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:49 pm While I admire BFS's ambitions, I really can't see any TATL conmection going ahead without continued substantial government support. UA only continued the service aslong as they did due to the previous support package. with DUB only a couple of hours down the road, it really would take some doing. I do however wish them the very best of luck.

BHX is only an hour up the road from LHR and appears to do quite well.

My comment was in relation to TATL offerings. The days of the US3 serving the UK regions looks to be gone for now. Hopefully with the arrival of the A321XLRs, we may see a reintroduction of some of these routes.