EUROPE'S third largest low cost has pledged its support to the Northern Ireland marketplace.

Nine months after launching a new service between Belfast City Airport and Stansted with onward connections to a range of European destinations, Air Berlin claims it is offering a service no other low-cost airline can match.

On-board meals, newspapers, drinks, flight flexibility, and a frequent flyer programme are all on offer by the German low-cost carrier.

Passengers can also book their seats in advance, and unlike other low-cost carriers, children have one third reduction in their fare.

"Also, passengers are IATA protected with regard to their onward connections, which is a very important consideration for travellers these days," said Titus Johnson, Country Manager UK & Ireland, Air Berlin.

Aside from low fares and what the airline says is an unparalleled service between Belfast and Stansted, Air Berlin's Stansted service enables passengers to interline at the London hub with a number of other Continental European destinations..

Passengers are able to check-in at Belfast City for Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Leipzig, Munster/Osnabruck, Nuremberg, Paderborn and Vienna. Passengers from all of these destinations are also be able to fly to Northern Ireland with much greater ease than previously possible… an important factor for the business community in the Province and for the tourism industry.

Titus Johnson said he was delighted with the turnout of more than 50 key travel agents at an Air Berlin promotion at Belfast City Airport last month.

"We found the travel agents to be very informed and motivated.

"They knew about the Air Berlin product and were also very supportive of the service. I was very impressed with the attendance and we look forward to working closely with Northern Ireland travel agents in future."

Meanwhile, speaking at the airline's launch in Northern Ireland last May, Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, said: "The opportunities created by these new routes for both business and leisure traffic are very significant.

"Germany is a hugely important market for Northern Ireland and this development means that many regions in Germany are more accessible than ever before.

""Northern Ireland has long been a popular destination for German visitors and this development by Air Berlin will further enhance the accessibility of Northern Ireland to the German market."

Flights can be booked via the Internet (airberlin.com), at travel agents or by telephone at the company's Service-Centre (0 870 738 88 80).

As well as services from Air Berlin's UK hub airport of London Stansted, the airline also flies from Glasgow and Manchester as well of course as from Belfast City.