Manx2.com announces new twice saily Cork/Belfast Service

The new twice daily service from Cork to Belfast will depart Cork Airport at 09.20am arriving in Belfast City Airport at 10.30am. An evening flight at 17.40pm from Cork will arrive in Belfast at 18.50pm. Passengers will benefit from the fast Metroliner regional commuter aircraft which offers a quality of service akin to the private charter experience. Fares start from €59.95 including all taxes and charges and a combined baggage allowance of up to 20 kilos per person.

air routes will be complimentary services to our existing summer schedule and will stimulate the Munster market. Over the next three months these Ryanair services will generate 40,000 additional passengers through Cork Airport with two aircraft based in Cork. This is welcome business in the Cork city region, with increasing inbound and outbound Tourist traffic.

Effective from 31st October 2010, Manx2.com will move all Northern Ireland operations from Belfast International Airport to its new base at Belfast City Airport.

Noel Hayes, Chairman of Manx2.com said: "We have witnessed significant changes in the aviation industry this year with overall passenger numbers declining and many airlines either restructuring or going into liquidation. Whilst challenging for the industry, these changes have presented opportunities for smaller companies like our own which are nimble enough to respond successfully to these fast-moving market dynamics."

"One such dynamic is capitalising and growing our operations in Ireland and introducing Belfast City Airport as our key hub. Our regular passenger surveys confirm that our commuter routes, such as our new twice daily service to Cork, are very well suited to this airport, where speed of transit through the terminal and fast access to the city centre are seen as key benefits."

Cork Airport Aviation Marketing Manager Kevin Cullinane said: "Following the recent introduction of a weekend service between Cork and Galway with Manx2.com, we are very pleased to see a further commitment to Cork with today's announcement of a resumption of a double daily service between Cork and Belfast. This commitment comes during a difficult economic climate and the increased services to both Galway and Belfast show the importance of inter-city connectivity between the major cities on the island of Ireland.!

Katy Best, Business Development Director at George Best Belfast City Airport said: "We are delighted with Manx2.com's expansion in Belfast City Airport and to once again to offer a route to Cork. Cork is a very popular route, particularly with our business passengers and it is important that this link to the South of Ireland has been re-established. Belfast City Airport is currently the fastest growing airport in the UK year to date, and this new route from Manx2 is welcome news for our growing passenger base."

Hilary Creedon from Failte Ireland commented: "This is positive news for the tourism industry in Cork and the South of Ireland. Manx2.com's new route to Belfast from Cork not only expands travel options for businesses in the region but will also play an important role in growing visitor numbers from Northern Ireland to Ireland's third largest city, cited as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in Lonely Planet's travel guide for 2010."

Manx2.com employs 60 staff and has a fleet of seven aircraft providing up to 30 flights a day to the Isle of Man. Manx2.com is proud to be a small Isle of Man based company carrying 100,000 passengers a year between the Isle of Man and Blackpool, Belfast, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Gloucester and Jersey. It has recently been voted the Island's best small company for the second time in three years at the annual IOM Newspapers Excellence Awards.