BELFAST International Airport's biggest scheduled carrier easyJet is expanding into three new markets from the UK Mainland - and all are outside the EU.
From this summer, easyJet will be taking its familiar brand and competitive fares to new customers in the bustling cities of Marrakech, Istanbul and to Rijeka, Croatia's third-largest city.
Over the last 10 years easyJet has brought low-fares to 18 countries in Europe and expects to carry in the region of 35 million passengers this year. Today about one-third of Europe's population live within one hour of an easyJet airport.
From Belfast International alone, easyJet serves no fewer than 19 destinations.
All three of the new destinations should prove popular with passengers travelling for both business and leisure reasons, predicts the airline.
EasyJet becomes the first major European low-fares airline to start services from London to the most vibrant cities of Turkey and Morocco and, in doing so, expands its operations into these wholly-new markets that are increasing their business links with Europe.
Andrew Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, said: "This is probably our most significant expansion since the start of our new routes to Central & Eastern Europe in May 2004. EasyJet continues to seize opportunities and to stay ahead of the industry ­ both geographically and technically, as highlighted by our recent introduction of on-line check-in.
"Croatia, Turkey and Morocco are forging an ever-closer relationship with the UK and Europe. As a consequence, the demand for low-fares to these countries is growing quickly, and easyJet will be in a unique position to benefit from this development.
"Wherever we go low fares speak their own language and we look forward to bringing our unique combination of low-costs with care and convenience to the long-suffering passengers to Istanbul, Marrakech and to Rijeka who have had to put up with high fares for too long."