British Airways is launching four new domestic routes from Belfast this summer, which the carrier says is about supporting important business and tourism links between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Over the next few months, the airline will start to operate 18 flights a week with Embraer 190 jets between George Best Belfast City Airport and Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford and Newquay airports.

British Airways’ subsidiary CityFlyer will operate the routes, which will run alongside existing British Airways services between Belfast and London City and London Heathrow airports.

BA CityFlyer Managing Director, Tom Stoddart, said: “We’re delighted to announce these new services from Belfast, which will enhance our regional network and maintain vital connections between Northern Ireland and other key UK destinations.

“We’re sure these routes will be popular with customers getting away for a UK holiday this summer, as well as those visiting friends and relatives, and we’ll continue to listen to their feedback about where they want to travel.

“We also welcome the recent announcement about the NI Domestic Aviation Kickstart Scheme and await further details with great interest.”