Air Berlin launches Alicante and Belfast flights

Air Berlin has added to its network of routes from the UK, with cheap flights to Alicante and Belfast.

The airline, Europe's third-largest low-cost carrier, started flights between London Stansted and Alicante in Spain on Monday.

This was followed on Tuesday by the first Air Berlin flights between Stansted and Belfast City Airport.

Air Berlin already flies to seven destinations in Germany from Stansted, as well as to Palma in Majorca where it provides onward connections to other destinations in Spain and Portugal.

In addition to Belfast, Air Berlin also flies from Glasgow and Manchester to Stansted.

"The new Alicante and Belfast routes mark an exciting time for our airline. We have decided to increase our commitment to the UK market as we found that British passengers responded enthusiastically to the Air Berlin low-cost high-quality model," said Air Berlin chief executive Joachim Hunold.

Passengers on the first Alicante flights were treated to traditional Spanish music and served with traditional Spanish food to celebrate the launch of the service. XXX