SEVEN new destinations in central Europe are to become more accessible for travellers from the Province with the launch of a new air route from Belfast City Airport to Stansted.

Air Berlin will begin operating from Belfast City to its hub airport Stansted on May 2 and on to seven destinations in Central Europe

Air Berlin, Europe's third-largest low-cost airline, will have morning and evening departures each way during the week, and one flight each way on Saturday and Sunday.

With fast trains from Stansted to Liverpool Street station in London's financial district, and Air Berlin's super-fast transfer system including full baggage transfer at London Stansted, the airline is targeting both business customers going to the City and holidaymakers transferring onto Europe, as well as the typical low-cost customer.

The choice of Belfast City Airport will also enable short journey times into Belfast city centre.

This move will open up Air Berlin's onbound Europe-wide destinations from Stansted for the first time to passengers from Northern Ireland. These include Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Paderborn and Vienna.

The service is also likely to make a positive contribution to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.

Flights from Belfast start at £19 one-way including all taxes and surcharges to London-Stansted, and from £29 to European destinations.

Air Berlin flights are low-cost but full-service, offering customers free food and drinks, flight flexibility, air miles and baggage transfer for connecting passengers. Flights can be booked at travel agents, on the Internet or by telephone at the company's Service-Center (0870 738 88 80).