Business leaders from Glasgow and Belfast today applauded the launch of Loganair’s new service between the two cities.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick crossed the Irish Sea on the first flight from his city’s airport and was greeted at George Best Belfast City Airport by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Ann McGregor.

Also on the first flight were Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles and chief commercial officer Kay Ryan.

The service, a double daily Monday to Friday and on Sundays with a single flight on Saturdays, operates using a 49-seat Embraer 145 regional jet.

The weekday timetable from Monday through Thursday has departures from Glasgow at 07.15 and 16.00 and from Belfast at 08.30 and 17.15 – allowing for business meetings to take place in either city before a return flight home.

On Fridays the first flight from Glasgow is at 13.15, leaving Belfast at 14.40, with the Sunday departure from Glasgow at 12.45 and 18.30 and from Belfast at 14.05 and 19.50. The Saturday flight repeats the same departure times as the first flight midweek.

With this new service, Loganair becomes one of the largest airlines at Belfast City, from where it flew the very first passenger flight on February 7 1983 on the day of the airport’s official opening.

The Glasgow-based airline already flies from Belfast City to Aberdeen and Inverness, and a service to Dundee starts on September 18.

Flights are available to book now at loganair.co.uk