Ryanair has applied for help to launch a range of services

A company set up by the government will consider which airlines are to be offered subsidies to help establish new routes.

Currently the only scheduled international service in and out of Northern Ireland is to Amsterdam.

Earlier this year, the government announced that �4m in subsidies would be available to airlines willing to plug some of the gaps - with Paris and Brussels high on the list.

It is understood several airlines have applied for help to launch a range of services including the low-cost airline Ryanair.

They have been in discussion with Belfast International Airport for some time and are thought to have an agreement in principle with the airport if the finances are right.

It is understood their plan is to fly to a number of European destinations on top of flights to UK airports.

BBC Northern Ireland's business editor James Kerr said the airline was notorious for demanding the best possible deal and its final intentions would be heavily influenced by what the government's advisers decide.