THE countdown has begun for Northern Ireland's first ever, non-stop scheduled flight to New York.
Continental Airline's inaugural daily service will take to the skies from Belfast International Airport
on May 26 at 9am and embark on a seven hour and 25 minute journey.
It will arrive in Newark Liberty International Airport at 11.25am that same day, allowing local travellers
the chance to conveniently connect to other US and Canadian flights, or simply start their holiday in the
Big Apple in good time.
The service will run daily over spring and summer and drop to four flights per week during the winter period
when demand will decline. The service will use a 172-seater Boeing 757 which comprises of 156 economy
seats, and 16 Business/First Class seats.
Prices for a return flight from Belfast International Airport to Newark with economy seats start at £452.60
while Business and First Class prices start at £3,673.60 return.
Belfast is Continental Airline's 21st city in its Europe and Middle East route portfolio.
The airline was about to begin the same flight about three years ago, but the terrorist attacks on 9/11 in
New York, and to a lesser extent, local unrest during the summer marching season, resulted in Continental
abandoning its plans.
Result
The direct transatlantic flight is a result of the Air Route Development Fund set up to assist in the growth
of Northern Ireland's economy. Speaking in September last year, Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland, Barry Gardiner welcomed the New
York flight.
"This is terrific news for businesses in Northern Ireland. It will give them a real competitive edge and
a boost for our tourism industry. Our congratulations go to both Continental Airlines and Belfast
International Airport for this new venture. "I am delighted that our Air Route Development fund
was able to assist this important step in Northern Ireland's continuing economic development."
Vice President - Europe and Middle East, Continental Airlines, Jim Summerford said: "We are very excited
about being the first airline to offer a scheduled non-stop service to Belfast from the US.
"This is further evidence that Continental's unique strengths - particularly our New York hub and
award-winning service, give our customers better options for their transatlantic travels."
Continental is the world's sixth largest airline and operates more than 3,000 daily flights.

BY EMMA DEIGHAN