THE major low-cost airlines flying from Belfast's City and International airports have vowed services will not affected due to rising fuel costs.

In a statement Flybe, major operator from George Best Belfast City Airport, claimed it was "in the fortunate position of having had to make only very minimal cuts to its flying programme."

A Spokeswoman for the airline commented: "With specific regard to Belfast which Flybe serves with some 80 flights a day on 17 routes from George Best Belfast City Airport, the only scheduled changes are that the Belfast to Paris service is now via Manchester or Birmingham rather than via Cardiff as it was last winter; and the Newquay route ceases operation for the winter at the beginning of October."

Belfast International's biggest scheduled operator easyJet admitted: "Times will be tough - we will see some of the poorer and less efficient airlines go out of business."

Despite this, easyJet said it was positive about the future and the airline remained in a strong position.

A spokesperson said: "EasyJet has a robust low-cost base and a strong balance sheet, which puts us in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities that arise as a result of changes in the market.

"EasyJet is committed to not introducing a fuel surcharge and to keeping fares low, in order to keep stimulating the market - putting up faressimply reduces demand."

In relation to easyJet's Belfast customers, the airline added: "We have always monitored the performance of our routes and while we cannot guarantee capacity cuts in the current climate, we remain committed to Northern Ireland.

" We will continue to push our partners, including Belfast International airport, to reduce its costs so that easyJet can continue to offer its famously low fares from Belfast."

However, easyJet admitted that it has taken a decision to discontinue its service to Berlin from Belfast this winter while Jet2 is suspending its services to Barcelona and Blackpool in the winter.

Meanwhile outspoken Ryanair chairman Michael O'Leary admitted he had "screwed up" by failing to insulate the airline against masssive rises in the price of oil.

The airline's profits showed a plunge of 85 per cent for the first quarter of this financvial year, and O'Leary, speaking in Dublin, said he took the blame for the situation.

"Clearly anybody who didn't hedge oil a year ago at 70 Euro a barrel couldn't possibly claim that they were on top of their game, he told a Press conference in Dublin, adding that "he'd screwed up in the past year."

Ryanair currently operates four routes from George Best Belfast City Airport to the UK Mainland.