Ryanair is to pull out of Belfast City Airport from the end of October. Five routes to London Stansted, Liverpool, East Midlands, Bristol and Glasgow Prestwick will be withdrawn.

Ryanair said 50 jobs would be lost as would up to 1,000 support roles in and around the airport. It blames delays in extending the runway for the pull out.

Airport spokeswoman Katy Best said she was extremely disappointed.

Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said that the announcement is 'very regrettable'.

'Tourism Ireland will continue its cooperative marketing efforts with the other
carriers into Northern Ireland from the British market to help stimulate demand for
holidays, short breaks and business travel. We will continue to highlight the great
fares and packages available to get here and the excellent holiday offers provided by
tourism industry partners', he said.