Belfast will soon be a short flight away from Blackpool

The daily service from Flybe is the second Irish route announced by the airport in a fortnight.

Ryanair announced it will offer daily flights to Dublin from Blackpool, starting in May.

The Flybe service starts operations on 19 May.

Airport bosses hope up to 18,000 passengers could use the service this summer.

'Wonderful news'

There will be one flight daily in each direction on weekdays and Sundays.

On Saturdays there will be three services each way.

Blackpool Airport's managing director Garry Eastwood said: "To attract a further 18 flights a week between here and Ireland is wonderful news, not just for the airport, but for the whole region's business and tourism communities, and of course for holidaymakers.

"Flybe are demonstrating great confidence and commitment to the new service."

Councillor Allan Matthews, chairman of the Blackpool Airport Board, said the launch of the route was "terrific" news for the town.

He added: "The North West can now boast a third regional airport of real stature and I am confident it will add more and more services over the next few years."