THE LAUNCH of new routes to Belfast City and Alicante has boosted Air Berlin's presence at London's Stansted Airport.

And Air Berlin, Europe's third biggest low-cost airline, has signalled its commitment to further develop its main UK hub at Stansted.

The airline is also further developing its domestic network by commencing its first scheduled flights between Stansted and Belfast City.

"The new Alicante and Belfast routes mark an exciting time for our airline. We have decided to increase our commitment to the UK market as we found that British passengers responded enthusiastically to the Air Berlin low-cost high quality model," said the airline's Chief Executive Joachim Hunold.

Angelika Schwaff, PR Spokesperson for Air Berlin, said: "We are so excited to be flying to Belfast. The airport is very close to the city centre so it's great for business travellers. This route will seriously help bring new visitors to Northern Ireland."

Air Berlin already flies from London Stansted to 16 destinations in Spain and Portugal via its hub in Palma, Majorca, and recently launched flights from Glasgow and Manchester to its UK hub at Stansted. Customers with onbound connections to Air Berlin's European destinations benefit from super-fast transfer times through Stansted.

Said Nick Barton, Business Development and Planning Director for Stansted Airport: "We're delighted to welcome the arrival of Air Berlin's new services to Belfast and Alicante as they expand their already successful route network from Stansted.

"Stansted is now the UK's thrid largest airport, with more than 30 airlines serving in excess of 22 million passengers a year.

"Air Berlin is firmly established as our third largest airline and their direct flights from Stansted to Palma, seven destinations across Germany and UK connections to Manchester and Glasgow, have not only been popular with business passengers but also with leisure travellers, especially families who are always delighted to learn that Air Berlin offers discounted fares for children under the age of 12."

Air Berlin, the latest new operating airline out of Northern Ireland, is Germany's second largest airline and the third largest low fare carrier in Europe.

The airline was founded in 1978 and has been enjoying steady growth ever since. It claims to have set new standards with its Euro Shuttle, which links European cities.

Air Berlin has more than 2,700 employees and its fleet of 56 aircraft is one of the most modern in Europe. In 2005 the airline carried 13.5 million passengers.