Low Fares Airline Flybe are considering several continental destinations from Belfast.

Mike Rutter, the airline's chief commercial officer,who was in Belfast to launch Flybe's Manchester service, gave details of the proposed expansion. He revealed the airline was contemplating the launch of services direct from Belfast City to regional airports in France and Spain. He said the projected launch date was April 2007, by which time the airline would be in possession of its new mid-range Embraer 105 aircraft. Among destinations under consideration are Bordeaux, Bergerac and Limoges in France, with Alicante, Murcia, Malaga and Almeira in Spain.

Mr Rutter said "In the longer term we will also be looking at the possibility of direct flights from Belfast to Palma in Majorca and to Faro in Portugal. "We feel that with the growth in the second home market that there is scope for more direct flights from Belfast to the Continent."