Belfast International Airport is bracing itself for a record summer as more than 1.2 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport.

With Belfast flights available to more than 100 worldwide destinations including North America, Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean the airport expects to handle more than 5.5 million passengers this year.

Belfast International managing director John Doran said, “This year’s figures are extremely encouraging against what is a testing time for all involved in the travel trade throughout Northern Ireland. The choice and availability of destinations on offer to local passengers is better than ever with a number of new, exciting locations available on the route network served by Belfast International.”

“We are also seeing an increase in passengers from the border counties who are travelling to Belfast International as opposed to Dublin airport in ever-increasing numbers because of the strength of the euro, not only to secure substantial savings, but also to avail of the increased range of destination choice available to holiday venues like Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean – and even North America where the savings against the dollar are even more pronounced – as well as experiencing a more relaxed environment for departing and returning.”