Direct Poland-NI routes announced

The first direct air routes between Poland and Northern Ireland have been announced by a low-cost carrier.

Wizz Air is set to begin flights between Warsaw and Katowice and Belfast International Airport.

There are an estimated 30,000 Polish people living, working and studying in Northern Ireland.

Wizz said both services would operate every other day. The Katowice route begins on 29 May next year and Warsaw on 28 July.

Wizz Chief Executive Jozsef Varadi said the carrier was "delighted to offer another new destination to our customers".

"Passengers from Poland are already familiar with Wizz Air, as the largest low cost carrier in the country.

"I am confident that all our new passengers from Belfast and the region will enjoy our low fares and excellent services when travelling to Poland for leisure or for business."

John Doran of Belfast International Airport said Eastern Europe represented a large growth market for direct air services from Northern Ireland.

"We are delighted to welcome this exciting new development in services from Belfast International Airport; a move which begins to open up this challenging market and we look forward to growing direct services to Eastern Europe over the coming months," he said.

The Polish community is the largest single Eastern European grouping in Northern Ireland.

A new monthly magazine, Glostik, catering for the community was launched recently.

Source: news.bbc.co.uk