Ryanair marks major milestone at Belfast airport
MORE than six million people have been carried through Belfast International Airport via Ryanair flights the Irish airline has confirmed.
The low-cost airline has been operating out of the Northern Irish airport since 2016.
It now has two aircraft based at the site, where it boasts a schedule of 176 weekly flights across 19 routes, including a newly announced route to Kaunas in Lithuania.
This week the airline reached its six million passenger milestone at the airport.
'We're pleased to announce that Ryanair has carried over six million passengers through Belfast International Airport since we began operations back in 2016,' Ryanair's Director of Comms, Jade Kirwan, said.
'This significant milestone showcases Ryanair's continued support and investment for Belfast, delivering important connectivity, traffic, tourism, jobs, and economic growth for Northern Ireland.'
She added: 'This summer, Ryanair is operating a robust schedule to/from Belfast with 176 weekly flights across 19 routes, including our new Kaunas route.
'This schedule will largely operate on our two Belfast based aircraft – an investment of $200m and supporting over 1,000 local jobs.'
See More: Belfst International Airpor, Flights, Investment, Ryanair
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Spar wants a bigger slice of Ireland's €15bn grocery market
South African headquartered Spar group, in releasing its half-year reporting last week, announced its plan to withdraw from its extensive operations in Switzerland and the UK, but in a surprising move, declared its intention to double down on its investment in Ireland. The group's decision to offload its Swiss and UK retail businesses is part of a strategic realignment towards a more profitable international presence. Spar group chief executive Angelo Swartz stated the group experienced a tough operating environment, particularly in its European operations, while the South African consumer remains under pressure as well. Spar group, which operates the eponymous business in Ireland, England, and Switzerland, as well as in its native South Africa, has reported a marginal decline in turnover, to R66.1bn (€3.26bn), in the first half of its financial year to March 28. In disposing of its Swiss operations, it will cut off €800m in sales, and a further €300m in its British operations. By comparison, Spar Ireland achieved record retail sales of €1.3bn in 2024. Spar's withdrawal from its Swiss and UK divisions highlights a broader trend of reevaluating European retail strategies amid uncertain market conditions. Spar's new business strategy, being unveiled, aims to build on the current momentum of the brand in Ireland. The strategy includes plans for new store openings, upgrading existing sites, and a new design for EuroSpar supermarkets. 'There's a cost-of-living crisis in Europe that's made those markets tougher than I can remember. And in South Africa, we've had an economy that's been struggling to grow for some time and consumers are under real financial pressure with relatively high interest rates, albeit coming down,' according to Angelo Swartz, Spar group chief executive. Commenting on Spar's apparent loss of upper-income shoppers, Swartz acknowledges the extremely competitive environment in the retail space. 'There's certainly truth in the observation that growth in our stores that cater to the lower end of the market has been more robust than at the top end,' Mr Swartz said. 'It's been more competitive at the higher end of the market, most certainly for us.' To prevent its Irish operations from following the same downward trend as its discontinued European ventures, the retailer plans to expand its private-label range, emphasising its value proposition to customers. They also plan to go further by ensuring a diverse product range that aligns with changing consumer preferences. This range must include more organic and healthier options, which will help it compete with major players like SuperValu and Centra in the Irish market. Spar operates with its local partner BWG group, as a leading convenience brand in Ireland and holds a relatively small share of the Irish grocery market, less than 1% according to Bord Bia. While this may appear minor compared to other large players, Spar have a significant presence as one of the largest convenience retail groups in the country, with more than 60 years of history and a network of 463 stores across every county in Ireland and providing employment for 14,000 people locally. Spar group's strategy for Ireland was positively impacted by gross margin increase in recent years, with local performance boosted by lower gearing and cost savings, partially offset by increased labour costs, due to the minimum wage increase. Bord Bia conservatively estimates that the Irish grocery retail market is currently valued at €15bn. The quality of food on offer is of the highest standard. However, as in the world over, current global dynamics are driving up cost of living inflation, which will impact how consumers shop and how retailers respond over the coming months. Relatively speaking, the Irish grocery retail market is quite sophisticated in terms of store design and merchandising, remaining predominantly physical, with online a very small percentage of total sales (5.8%, 12 weeks ending January 26) but it is growing according to Kantar market consultancy. Much like Spar, who plan to open 50 more stores in 2025, other retailers in Ireland are still expanding store numbers to find growth. The Irish retail market is highly competitive, with three retailers: Dunnes Stores, Tesco, and SuperValu (part of Musgrave Group) holding 67.7% of the market between them. Getting a bigger slice of the €15bn Irish market, is clearly a key strategic goal of the Spar group management, but the 'big three' supermarkets won't give up market share without a fight. Read More Irish Mortgage Corporation unveils its new joint managing directors
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Cruel decision' blast over new rent cap shake-up as Irish renters brace for price hikes amid calls for more homes
OPPOSITION parties have blasted the government's rent shake up - with the Cabinet set to vote in an easing of controls this week. Landlords will be able to 3 Irish renters are set to brace for price hikes amid a major rent cap shake up Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Changes to the Rent Pressure Zones will be brought to Housing minister James Browne Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Rents for newly-built Changes to the Rent Pressure Zones will be brought to Government by Minister for Housing Government sources said the move is aimed at giving investors certainty given they currently can make a loss when inflation goes above the two per cent mark. Other measures to close the 'yield' gap and around 'viability' will be taken by READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS For existing renters, nothing changes if they stay in their current tenancy. However if they move, a landlord can reset the rent for the new tenant at the market rate. Any rent increases after that would be capped at the existing two per cent rate. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN But last night Chaos in Dail as numerous TDs storm from Chamber amid new speaking time rules The party's housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin said: 'Cabinet looks set to agree far-reaching and deeply damaging changes to the current Rent Pressure Zone rules. 'The government's plans for a four-tier rental market is utter madness. 'There will now be four different rent-setting rules and eviction rules for tenants; in RPZs and in existing tenancies; in RPZs and in new tenancies in existing rental stock; in RPZs and in new tenancies in newly built rental stock; and renters in tenancies outside RPZs. Any decision the Government takes in relation to RPZs in coming days cannot pull the rug from under renters." Fine Gael TD Deputy Michael Carrigy 'Renters are being punished for the government's own housing failures with even higher rip-off rents and greater uncertainty. 'If these landlords are given the right to resent rents to new market levels, this puts tens of thousands of renters with pre 2022 tenancy agreements at risk of eviction. 'At a time when rents… are already too high, the government's proposals will come as another body-blow to hard-pressed renters.' EVICTION INCREASE FEARS And He fumed: 'Lifting the 2 per cent rent cap is a cruel decision by a government captured by investor fund landlords. 'There is no guarantee removing these rent caps will lead to an increase in supply of rental properties. 'In fact, it will encourage the investor purchase of new build homes as rental properties – further pushing up house prices and locking home buyers out of the housing market. 'Without a no-fault eviction ban in place, lifting the 2 per cent rent cap will lead to increased evictions and homelessness as landlords evict tenants to get a new tenancy and bring the rent up to market rents.' RENT ALREADY HIGH Meanwhile, Chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, He explained: 'Any decision the Government takes in relation to RPZs in coming days cannot pull the rug from under renters. 'There can't be just some sort of cliff edge or some switch that just gets flicked in terms of supports and safeguards for renters. 'The level of rent people are paying in this country is extraordinarily high already and that is largely down to a lack of supply which must change. 'We have to ensure we have a viable housing market. "Our clear goal is to increase the supply of new homes.' 3 Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin branded the proposal 'utter madness' Credit: PA
Irish Post
3 hours ago
- Irish Post
Tourism Ireland's new Unrushed campaign urges holidaymakers to slow down and savour Ireland's delights
TOURISM IRELAND has launched a new campaign aimed at holidaymakers with a sense of exploration who want to immerse themselves in the culture of their destination. The Ireland Unrushed campaign is expected to reach 70m people, positioning Ireland as the perfect destination to slow down and connect with nature, culture and communities as tourists savour all Ireland has to offer. The campaign is based on research that shows that 80 per cent of overseas visitors who choose non-sun holidays are seeking a sense of exploration on their trips. Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach in Co. Derry (Image: Tourism Ireland / chrishillphotographer) As such, it highlights experiences in nature and in local communities, encouraging visitors to enjoy journeying around the island of Ireland. The campaign includes a series of videos highlighting breath-taking landscapes and 'slow tourism' activities. They are accompanied by a message reminding viewers that 'you may find, when you slow down, you feel more'and feature an atmospheric song by Irish musician Lōwli. 'The perfect place to slow down' At the launch this week, Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said the campaign promotes Ireland as the perfect place to slow down and immerse yourself in your surroundings. "We are excited to launch Ireland Unrushed today to inspire visitors to choose Ireland this year for their travel," she said. "Research shows 80 per cent of visitors who choose non-sun holidays are motivated by a desire to explore — whether that's getting out and about in nature, delving into culture or meeting local people. Summit of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo at sunset (Image: Tourism Ireland / Gareth McCormack / "Fifty per cent of potential holidaymakers say they would spend more on sustainable accommodation and experiences, so there is a positive interest also in enjoying destinations responsibly. "At Tourism Ireland, we're showcasing inspiring journeys around the island of Ireland, to win hearts, minds and trips. "Our new Ireland Unrushed campaign positions Ireland as the perfect place to slow down, connect more deeply with people and landscapes and refresh. "When visitors choose Ireland, dwell for longer and explore more, the economic and community benefits of tourism across the island are increased." Immersive holiday ideas The Ireland Unrushed campaign is running on leading video platforms, social and digital channels in Britain, the US, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as in other key tourism markets around the world. It is live across the month of June and will reach an estimated 70m people. The campaign includes dedicated digital materials on Tourism Ireland's international website, highlighting 10 journeys that showcase slower-paced and more immersive holiday ideas to prospective overseas holidaymakers. Tourism Ireland is partnering with local industry across the island of Ireland to showcase 'slow tourism' experiences — from travelling inland waterways by boat to experiencing locally grown produce on a coastal food tour, or journeying by train around cities like Cork, Dublin or Belfast to explore the local beaches, villages and hiking trails. Sampling local produce in Co. Antrim (Image: Rob Durston / Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland) See More: Tourism Ireland
