Aer Lingus has finalised a code share agreement with British Airways on all the Irish flag carrier's new flights between Belfast International Airport and Heathrow. The agreement will provide Aer Lingus passengers on the route a greater choice of flights and smoother connections with BA's global route network at Heathrow.

Aer Lingus is due to start flights between Belfast International and Heathrow on Jan 14. The code share agreement allows airlines to offer flights on each other's connecting flights using the same tickets. The new deal extends an existing code share deal with BA covering the Irish Republic.

Dermot Mannion, Aer Lingus chief executive said: 'This announcement further strengthens the excellent relationship between Aer Lingus and British Airways. We are very excited about our new base at Belfast International, and I am confident that this agreement will stimulate even greater demand for our new service between Belfast and London.'