TRAVELLERS across Northern Ireland recently celebrated the launch of low cost airline Jet2.com's

new daily service from Belfast International Airport to Barcelona.

Flights to Spain's colourful city ranged from £21 one-way when the new route was announced at the end of

August. The service itself, started on September 24. Barcelona has it all: sunshine, bustling bars and its

own beach. The city has also been one of Jet2.com's most popular destinations after the start of the

Belfast-Prague route in April. Following what the airline says was "overwhelming

demand," Jet2.com is flying daily from Belfast International Airport to the Catalonian city. Flight

schedules are available on the Jet2.com website.Belfast International Airport welcomed the new route

with open arms. Albert Harrison, Managing Director of the Airport said: "We are delighted with the

announcement, Barcelona is a great city and is a route that has come about by popular demand.

"Belfast International is growing, we served four million passengers this year and with the introduction

of this new route we are now serving seven European cities on a scheduled basis, in addition to our

comprehensive charter programme encompassing over 50 direct destinations throughout Europe and North

America. "Indeed this announcement means that the top four city break destinations in Europe - Paris, Amsterdam,

Prague and Barcelona are now served on a daily non-stop basis from Belfast International, offering a

whole new gambit of options to local travellers which was simply not available a few months ago."

Barcelona, which hosted the Olympics in 1992, has a great reputation with plenty of places to eat and

drink and many attractions for all the family. It is a gateway city not just to the Mediterranean, but also

the Pyrenees and is a wonderful place to eat and drink. There's something to tempt every taste bud,

from the tapas bars around the harbour to the designer cuisine available at many eateries.

Shoppers will also be spoilt for choice - there are more shops per capita than anywhere else in Europe!

Jet2.com also flies from Belfast International Airport to Leeds and Prague.

BY EMMA DEIGHAN