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New routes from a Belfast airport are launching in April to take passengers to Poland, Lithuania, Rome and Prague.

Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe, has launched the first of two new routes from Belfast International Airport.

Belfast-Katowice, in south western Poland, started today, and will be followed on April 22 by Belfast-Vilnius in Lithuania and the airline will operate a twice weekly service to both cities.

Wizz Air’s Daniel de Carvalho said: “We know there’s a substantial Polish community living in Northern Ireland, and there has been considerable interest in our new route. At the other end, Katowice is a major business and industrial centre with a population of 2.7 million people, which means there’s ample scope to develop tourism.”

Welcoming Wizz Air to Northern Ireland the Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said: “Wizz Air’s new air routes to the Baltic States is a welcome development in Northern Ireland’s air connectivity.

“After my second visit to Estonia last week, to build business ties and advance digital collaboration with the Estonian Government, I can see the economic potential more direct flights to Eastern Europe can bring.

“Belfast International Airport is to be congratulated for securing Wizz Air’s two new routes and this increased air connectivity has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits for Northern Ireland by helping to boost trade, increase foreign direct investment and promote our appeal as a tourist destination.”

Next month will also see Jet2.com and Jet2holidays start the very first flights from Belfast International Airport to Rome on April 2 and Prague on April 3.

The inaugural flights to these cities, the only direct services available from Northern Ireland, mark the start of the biggest year to date for the company as 2015 sees the introduction of a third dedicated aircraft and no fewer than five new routes, with flights to Gran Canaria, Verona and Zante also due to commence over the coming weeks.

The new Rome flights will depart twice weekly from April 2 until November 1, with up to three weekly flights to Prague operating between April 3 and January 4.

“This really is a momentous week in what is going to be a milestone year for us in Northern Ireland,” said Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

“As the UK’s third largest tour operator, we are already one of the biggest travel companies operating out of Northern Ireland and we continue to expand with our five new destinations this year, so it’s fantastic to see the first of these new routes take to the skies this week.

“Rome and Prague are fabulous and exciting cities which are not available through any other operator. I’m sure they’ll be very popular with local holidaymakers and it’s great to see that both of our inaugural flights are almost sold out.”

In total, more than a quarter of a million seats will be available for Northern Ireland passengers this year with more than 70 services per week operating to the 18 destinations. As a result of this continued expansion, 86 new jobs have been created this year, including flight and cabin crew, engineers and ground operations staff.

Graham Keddie, Managing Director at Belfast International Airport, added: “This is a very significant week for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays and also for Belfast International Airport, with the launch of Rome and Prague as new destinations, representing up to five additional departures from the airport every week.

“It is wonderful to see how Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have expanded over the years. We are delighted to work in partnership with such a progressive company and we look forward to working closely together in the future to give Northern Ireland holidaymakers the best possible choice from Belfast International Airport.”