Tag: northern ireland

Easyjet belfast

Belfast gets fantastic direct flights to Rovaniemi with easyJet winter 2026

Belfast gets fantastic direct flights to Rovaniemi with easyJet winter 2026

Good news for anyone in Northern Ireland who’s ever fancied a weekend hanging out with Santa Claus, chasing the Northern Lights or zooming through snowy forests on a husky sled — easyJet has just announced the first-ever direct flights from Belfast to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.

That’s right. Starting in December 2026, you’ll be able to hop on a plane at Belfast International Airport and step off just a few hours later in Santa’s official hometown — without any faffing about with connections or layovers.

The new route will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays — which means you can do a festive long weekend or sneak off midweek for a cheeky dose of Arctic magic. Either way, it’s set to become one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting new winter getaways.

Need assistance with groups and incentives in Finland? Contact this fantastic DMC!

Northern Ireland to Lapland? It’s about time.

For years, travellers from Northern Ireland wanting to visit Lapland had to go through the rigmarole of connecting flights via London, Dublin, or half of Europe — by the time you finally got there, you’d aged several Christmases.

But now? With easyJet’s new direct flights, you can get from Belfast to Rovaniemi Airport in one go — and yes, that’s the airport where the baggage carousel is shaped like a sleigh (seriously).

This will be the first time ever that Rovaniemi has had a direct link with Belfast, which is great news not just for Northern Irish families eager to see Santa, but also for the Finns, who’ll be rolling out the welcome mat (and hopefully the hot mulled wine).

What’s the big deal about Rovaniemi?

If you’ve never been, you might be wondering what makes Rovaniemi such a popular winter destination. In a word? Everything.

This is the capital of Finnish Lapland and home to all sorts of snow-covered delights. Think Northern Lights, reindeer safaris, ice fishing, snowmobiles, husky sledding, and cosy log cabins where you can sip on cloudberry liqueur while watching the snow fall outside.

And of course — let’s not forget the main event — Santa Claus himself. Rovaniemi is home to the world-famous Santa Claus Village, where visitors can meet the big man, send postcards with a special Lapland postmark, and generally revel in festive cheer.

Whether you’re five or fifty-five, trust us: it’s pretty magical.

A boost for Lapland’s booming tourism scene

Petri Vuori, Finavia’s (Finnish airport authority) Director of Route Development, says this new route is a big win for both Northern Irish travellers and Lapland’s tourism industry. The region has seen record numbers of visitors in recent years — and better air links mean even more people can experience the magic of the Arctic Circle.

Next winter, easyJet will be flying to Rovaniemi from 15 European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Milan, London — and now Belfast. It’s all part of Lapland’s master plan to become the ultimate winter wonderland for European holidaymakers. And frankly, we’re on board with that idea.

Why this is fantastic news for Belfast

For Northern Irish families who’ve always dreamed of doing a proper Lapland trip, this is the news they’ve been waiting for. No more shelling out a small fortune on package tours or piecing together convoluted travel plans. Just a quick hop on an easyJet flight and you’re in the land of auroras and antlers.

It’s also a cracking option for couples, adventurers, and anyone who just wants to escape the drizzle and experience a true Arctic adventure — one that comes with a good dose of Finnish charm (and excellent sausages).

When to book

The first flights take off in December 2026, perfectly timed for Santa season and those prime Northern Lights months. With only two flights a week, demand is likely to be sky-high — so if you’re thinking of booking, don’t hang about.

Looks like this winter, Belfast travellers will finally be getting a direct sleigh ride to Lapland — and we can’t wait.

Latest Namibian Visa Rules 2024

Latest Namibian Visa Rules 2024

Latest Namibian Visa Rules 2024

New procedures could be put in place by Namibia for entry into the country by visitors from 31 nations, including Germany. Travellers will be required to apply online before travelling with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration indicating that tourists will be required to pay a specified fee for visa processing on arrival.

This move introduces visa restrictions against countries that have failed to reciprocate friendly visa policies extended by Namibia. “Namibia has good international relations and is open to the world but some countries are not,” read the statement.

For which countries are visas needed?

Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan.

Key points about Latest Namibian Visa Rules 2024

Online Application: Visitors from affected states must apply for visas online before traveling;

Processing on Arrival: The issuance of their visas will take place at arrivals in Namibia;

Payment of Fees: One should pay visa fees online before travelling to the southern African country.

The exact date when these changes will take effect has not yet been announced. But authorities have said they will advise on this soon. Therefore travellers should be prepared to fill out application forms and make necessary payments for their visas upon landing at any airport within Namibia.

Areas of concern & clarification:

According to the government’s home affairs department these measures are meant to promote fairness among nations rather than restrict genuine travel. There is hope more details about these laws including how they will be implemented shall be availed soon.

Planning a trip?

Check out this DMC in Namibia

British Airways Unveil Exciting Direct Flights to Ivalo from Gatwick 2024

British Airways 7 Billion Transformation Plan

British Airways just revealed an ambitious £7 billion transformation plan at a London event, introducing upgrades across seats, routes, and digital services. With over 600 initiatives, the plan aims to elevate every aspect of the airline’s operations. CEO Sean Doyle and senior leaders announced exciting developments like new short-haul seats, free onboard messaging, and revamped digital platforms.

British Airways 7 Billion Transformation Plan

The investment includes £750 million for IT infrastructure upgrades and £100 million for operational efficiencies, all aimed at enhancing the employee and customer experience. Notable highlights include a confidentially detailed new First class suite for A380 aircraft, expected by late 2025.

Collaborating with suppliers from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, British Airways showcased innovative new short-haul seats and cabin interiors for Airbus A320neos and A321neos. The airline also announced the return of services to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur later this year.

In addition, a new website and app, currently in pilot phase, promise enhanced personalization and self-service features, with initial rollout plans by year-end. Executive Club members will enjoy complimentary messaging on wifi-enabled flights starting April 3rd.

Furthermore, British Airways plans to debut new lounge designs, beginning with Dubai Airport this year and Miami in 2025. CEO Sean Doyle reiterated the airline’s dedication to transformation, focusing on customer experience, operational efficiency, and sustainability efforts to reduce emissions.

While parent company IAG reported record profits in 2023, there remains a noted disparity in business travel recovery compared to leisure travel performance.

Why not plans a trip to the UK

Source: https://britishairways.com

 

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