MYSTERY surrounds the identity and plans of those behind a proposed new Northern Ireland budget airline.

Both Belfast airports claim to have no knowledge whatsoever of the airline which is supposed to be planning routes to mainland Europe from both Belfast

and Dublin.

One thing is certain however... those behind the operation will have a fight on their hands to establish a viable business from either Belfast airport,

or Dublin. Of the two Belfast airports, Belfast International would appear to be the preferred choice for any local low-cost carrier, but 'sitting tenants'

easyJet, now the Province's largest carrier, is sure to give any newcomer a hot reception.

Said a somewhat tongue-in-cheek easyJet statement: "We welcome any newcomers to the market. Competition is always great news for the consumer."

Local businessmen are reported to have secured financial backing for the new airline, which is planned to be up and running early next summer.

A measure of the competition facing any new NI airline operation can be readily assessed from the scale of easyJet's operations in Belfast - it has

now carried 13 million passengers - more than seven times the population of Northern Ireland!

It now operates services to 19 destinations from Belfast International, nine aircraft from Belfast (five of which are based here), a total of over 80

flights and almost 9,000 passengers daily.

Any plans to operate from Dublin would also face massive low-cost competition - particularly from Ryanair - Europe's largest low cost airline

which has a substantial presence at Dublin airport.

At the moment Ryanair only operate from City of Derry north of the Border, but have admitted considering Belfast among other destinations in its future

plans.

Aviation experts are also sceptical of the proposal. "This is not a good time to be thinking of starting another budget airline. In fact the recent

collapse of EUjet should act as a warning about how tough the competition out there is at the moment," said one.