THE raft of new routes launched from Belfast International Airport this year culminated with the departure of Wizz Air's inaugural flight to Warsaw recently.

So far 2007 has been an exceptionally busy year for the airport having seen routes ranging from Halifax to Hamilton and Krakow to Katowice take off over the last few months. With over 1.3 million passengers using the airport during July and August the trend looks set to continue.

Warsaw is the second route to take off with Wizz Air and the third Polish route served direct from Belfast.

John Doran, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport said, "Poland is a huge growth market for Northern Ireland and we are delighted to welcome Warsaw to our ever growing list of European destinations.

"We will continue to work closely with Wizz Air to build on these routes which provide vital access to this region while also increasing the number of travellers coming to experience what Northern Ireland has to offer."

Natasa Kázmér, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs of Wizz Air said: "We are delighted to link Belfast with another Polish destination after Katowice. With the new Belfast-Warsaw service we offer more choices to passengers from Belfast to discover Poland and enjoy our low fares and excellent services."

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said, "This new direct flight to Northern Ireland from Warsaw is more good news for the tourism industry here. Improved access can only help to build upon ever increasing visitor numbers and growing tourism revenue.

"Eastern Europe is a growing market for holiday makers to Northern Ireland and new flights like this offer the opportunity to further develop this potential."

Belfast International Airport currently flies to more than 100 destinations worldwide and is expected to carry 5.5 million passengers in 2007.

Wizz Air currently operates a young fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft from six bases to 47 European destinations on over 90 routes.

The airline offers flights from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania. Wizz Air carried over three million passengers in 2006 and flies direct from Belfast to Katowice and Warsaw