Icelandair launches new Reykjavik service from Belfast

By Maria McCann

Iceland air’s first flight on its new Belfast to Reykjavik route arrived at Belfast City Airport today. 
 
Operated by sister airline Air Iceland -  it flies three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Birkir Holm Guðnason, Icelandair CEO said, "It will improve connectivity to the US and Canada via our hub in Reykjavik."

The flight time is 2:55 hours to and from George Best Belfast City Airport, which is only five minutes from the city centre.

Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of George Best Belfast City Airport, said, "“This is a hugely exciting period for Belfast City Airport following our recent co-hosting of the Routes Europe conference, and the launch of our new three-times weekly flight to Reykjavik will help continue the positive momentum.

"We have a strong track record of forming successful partnerships with internationally-renowned airlines such as Icelandair.
 
"There has been strong demand for the flights since they were announced in December, with the route offering passengers an extremely convenient connection to a host of destinations in the USA and Canada, and we are confident this will continue to grow.

Gerry Lennon, Visit Belfast Chief Executive, said "Air connectivity is critical to us welcoming more international visitors to Belfast and achieving the city’s ambition of doubling tourism spend by 2021.  

"Icelandair’s new service and extensive global network enables Visit Belfast and our tourism partners to proactively engage with potential visitors, from not only Iceland but other key markets including North America."

Aileen Hickey, Tourism Ireland’s Manager for the Nordic Region, said "The new Icelandair flight is really good news for tourism to Belfast and Northern Ireland. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from Iceland, but this new service will also offer connectivity between North America and Belfast. 

"We are delighted to co-operate with Icelandair and Belfast City Airport, to maximise the promotion of this new flight. As an island destination, the importance of convenient flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism."

Icelandair’s geographic position on the shortest flight path between Europe and North America means it offers some of the quickest transatlantic routes.