Six northern firms to create 115 jobs at Belfast airport

Six Northern Ireland firms are planning to create a further 115 full- and part- time jobs as a result of increased business opportunities at Belfast International Airport (BIA), according to the airport's director of commercial development.

Brian Carlin said "welcome growth" had helped to deliver hundreds of new job opportunities at Belfast International Airport (BIA) in recent weeks.

The jobs boost comes largely on the back of Ryanair’s announcement last month that it plans to open a new base at BIA from March and initially operate a four-times-daily service to London Gatwick.

Yesterday a number of firms including on-site food outlets, taxi operators and charter services unveiled job opportunities at BIA.

These include caterers SSP, which is planning to create 20 full-time and 30 part-time positions while the Fed & Watered outlet will also create 10 new jobs.

Belfast Airport Taxis plans to recruit a further 30 drivers. Catering, retail and logistics company LSG is to employ an additional 16 people. Charter firm Jet Assist will create six jobs and Car Care Solutions plans to add three people to its workforce.

Mr Carlin said much more could be done with a “focused approach on an air route development fund”.