ZOOM Airlines has announced it will continue its successful service linking Belfast International Airport to Vancouver throughout the winter season for the first time.

The new weekly scheduled flight will operate from Belfast to Vancouver on Thursdays between October until April. Prices start at £129 one-way plus taxes, fees and charges.

Zoom offers the lowest scheduled transatlantic airfares from Northern Ireland, with prices on the Toronto and Halifax routes starting from £99 one-way plus taxes.

This winter, Zoom has experienced an unprecedented level of demand for its low-cost full scheduled flights to Canada, highlighting Canada's popularity as a year-round holiday destination.

This level of demand has also been encouraged by excellent snow conditions experienced in Canada's main ski resorts of British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. This new route will allow Zoom to tap into the localised and thriving snow-sports market.

News of the expanded winter programme follows hot on the heels of Zoom's recent launch of new direct weekly services from Belfast to Halifax this summer. It is also doubling its popular service to Toronto, increasing to two flights per week this summer. In addition to the winter flight to Vancouver, weekly services to Toronto will also be maintained throughout the Winter 2007/8 schedule.

Jonathan Hinkles, UK Managing Director of Zoom Airlines said: "We are delighted to be announcing our new weekly Belfast to Vancouver flight throughout winter. This new flight has strengthened our position as the leading leisure airline in the Northern Ireland-Canada market.

"Our new winter Vancouver flights are ideal for snow-sports enthusiasts wishing to experience some of the world's top ski resorts including Whistler and Big White at prices equivalent to European fares."

A full scheduled service is provided onboard including in-flight entertainment, meal and free soft drinks for the duration of the flight. A 20kg baggage allowance is on offer on all flights with no additional carriage charge for ski or sporting equipment.

Premium class seats are also available on all Zoom flights from an additional £79 each way, offering additional legroom, superior in-flight meals, and complimentary drinks throughout the flight plus check-in and luggage benefits.

At present Zoom operates from five UK hubs (Belfast, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Cardiff) and Paris to eight Canadian destinations including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal.