Aer Lingus Regional Boosts Belfast-Southampton Flights by 17,000 Seats for Cruise Demand.

January 9, 2026 at 07:24 AM•3 min read

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Emerald Airlines, is adding over 17,000 seats and eight weekly flights on the Belfast City Airport to Southampton route from April 2026 to meet cruise travel demand.

Key Points

1Aer Lingus Regional is adding over 17,000 seats and eight weekly flights on the Belfast City to Southampton route starting April 2026.
2The expansion is driven by strong passenger demand for cruise holidays departing from the major Southampton cruise hub.
3The UK cruise market is projected to grow at a 12.5% CAGR to 2030, supporting the airline's strategic capacity increase.
4Emerald Airlines operates the service using fuel-efficient ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft.

Aer Lingus Regional is significantly expanding its Belfast City Airport Southampton route. The airline will add over 17,000 seats for the upcoming summer season.

This major regional connectivity expansion responds to growing peak cruise season demand. The service is operated by Emerald Airlines, the Irish carrier’s regional franchise partner. Emerald Airlines will add eight additional weekly flights starting in April 2026.

Route and Fleet Details

Emerald Airlines has flown the Belfast City to Southampton route since summer 2022. It remains a core year-round destination from the Northern Ireland hub. The regional carrier uses fuel-efficient ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft for the service.

Ian Lough, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines, welcomed the move. He noted the increased choice and flexibility for passengers. The improved timings will also benefit travelers this summer season.

Driving Cruise Travel Demand

This capacity increase is directly linked to the Southampton cruise hub. The English port city is a major starting point for cruise holidays. It features five dedicated cruise terminals.

Southampton is home to major operators like Cunard and P&O Cruises. These companies run large vessels such as the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne. Passengers from Northern Ireland use the flight for Mediterranean and Caribbean trips.

Market data confirms the strong demand for this type of travel. The UK cruise market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.5% through 2030. This indicates a robust outlook for Emerald Airlines cruise travel links.

Airport and Industry Impact

Belfast City Airport (BHD) is committed to strong regional air links. The airport is a key hub for Aer Lingus Regional services.

BHD’s Aviation Development Manager, Ellie McGimpsey, highlighted the expansion. She stated it builds on the airport’s connectivity goals. This is especially important ahead of the busy cruise season.

Belfast City Airport has demonstrated strong post-pandemic recovery. Passenger traffic in Q1 2024 exceeded 2019 levels by 1.1%. This growth underscores the strength of UK regional air travel demand. The expansion aligns with industry trends. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts continued passenger growth. Manufacturers like Airbus also support regional fleet modernization. This story and other commercial aviation news can be found at flying.flights.

The use of efficient turboprops like the ATR 72-600 is key for regional expansion.
This move strengthens Aer Lingus Regional Belfast's position as BHD's anchor airline.
The expansion directly capitalizes on the growing UK cruise market, projected to grow at 12.5% CAGR to 2030.