JLA link with Belfast City Airport to be maintained

FLYBE, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, has announced a comprehensive program of flights between Liverpool and George Best Belfast City Airport.

The airline will start to operate up to 4 flights per day on the route from 31 October 2010 with fares starting at just £24.99 one way, including taxes and charges.

The news comes just a week after Ryanair announced that it was to stop operating all its services from Belfast City Airport, including regular flights to Liverpool. This announcement now means that this important route will be maintained, continuing to give the region’s passengers a high frequency, convenient and value for money link between Liverpool and Belfast City Airport.

Flybe will operate 26 weekly flights between Liverpool and Belfast City Airport, with 4 return flights per day, Monday to Friday and three return flights per day at weekends.

Chris Harcombe, Peel Airports’ Aviation Development Manager, commented:- “We’re delighted that Flybe have recognised the demand for this service, their quick decision means that passengers will now see no interruption of service, continuing to provide both business and leisure passengers with a convenient, regular link. Traditionally, Belfast City has been a popular and important route for us and we’re pleased to be able to announce a replacement service so soon. We’re confident that it will prove as popular as Flybe’s existing service to the Isle of Man.”

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer comments:- “We are delighted to be able to introduce these three crucial routes following last week’s announcement by Ryanair to cease operations from Belfast City Airport and with it, services to Liverpool. Flybe has been serving the community in Northern Ireland for over 26 years. We are wholly committed to continue providing comprehensive connectivity throughout the UK and beyond to convenient destinations at competitive prices with maximum flexibility and choice.” 

Statement on restructuring of Business Link Northwest

BUSINESS Link Northwest has conducted a detailed review of its operations to bring it in line with in-year Government budget reductions at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). This review has also taken into account anticipated budget reductions for 2011/12, when funding is expected to be reduced further following the Comprehensive Spending Review in October. As a result of this review, a restructuring of the organisation is proposed to deliver a streamlined Business Link service focused for maximum impact.

Peter Watson, Managing Director of Business Link Northwest said:- “We know there will be changes to the delivery of government business support and a White Paper will be released in the autumn setting out the coalition’s proposals in more detail. The proposed re-structure will allow us to be in a position to work with the Government and the emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to allow for a smooth transition. In the meantime Business Link will continue to offer support to North West companies, and those considering starting a business. We are very much open for business and have a wealth of expertise here waiting to help businesses get growing again.”

Business Link Northwest’s telephone and face-to-face advisers, including Innovation and Access to Finance Teams, continue to work with growing businesses across the region, and, free and impartial advice is available for those looking to start their own business. The Business Link Northwest website is also packed full of information and ‘how to’ guides on a full-range of business issues.

The restructuring means that Business Link Northwest is proposing to reduce the number of staff it employs by 194 from a workforce of 338. These reductions will be across all departments.

Formal consultation with staff has begun and redundancies are likely to take place before the end of March 2011, in order to be in a position to continue to deliver the Business Link Service across the region within the new budgets.