easyJet launches new Belfast International routes to Rome and Sharm El Sheikh in major winter expansion

Passengers travelling from Belfast are set for a significant boost in choice this winter after easyJet confirmed two new direct routes from Belfast International Airport, opening up both a major European capital and a popular Red Sea resort with year-round sunshine.

The airline will begin flying from Belfast International to Sharm El Sheikh on 25 October, followed by Rome on 26 October, with both routes operating twice weekly and forming part of a wider nine-route expansion across the UK.

The move positions Belfast as a key departure point in easyJet’s winter network, with the airline becoming the only operator offering direct services from Belfast International to both Sharm El Sheikh and Rome — a notable shift in connectivity for Northern Ireland travellers heading into the winter season.

The new services introduce two distinctly different travel options from Belfast. Flights to Sharm El Sheikh will depart twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, targeting demand for winter sun breaks along Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Meanwhile, the Rome route will operate on Mondays and Fridays, offering a flexible schedule suited to short city breaks and long weekend travel.

Fares are being pitched competitively, with one-way tickets starting from £118.99 for Sharm El Sheikh and £28.99 for Rome, inclusive of taxes.

The Belfast expansion forms part of a broader rollout that will see nine new routes launched across the UK in late October, as easyJet strengthens its winter offering and expands access to both leisure and city destinations.

Across the network, Southampton will gain a new link to Paris Charles de Gaulle from 25 October, operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, with fares starting at £28.99. London Luton will see a new three-times-weekly route to Ljubljana from 26 October, connecting passengers to Slovenia’s capital and nearby Lake Bled.

London Southend will gain a twice-weekly connection to Budapest from 26 October, while Newcastle will see three new routes introduced as part of easyJet’s growing presence there. Services to Fuerteventura, Krakow and Reykjavik will launch between 25 and 27 October, each operating twice weekly.

Birmingham will also join the expansion with a new route to Agadir in Morocco, launching on 27 October with twice-weekly departures and fares starting from £39.99.

The airline said the expansion reflects growing demand for both winter sun and short European breaks, with routes designed to provide flexibility and affordability at a time when travel demand typically shifts towards warmer destinations or short-haul city escapes.

Kevin Doyle, UK Country Manager for easyJet, said:

“We are excited to be launching nine new routes and packages from across the UK for this winter, providing customers with even more choice and connectivity. Whether they’re looking for winter sun, or a weekend away in some of Europe’s most iconic capitals, this new batch of routes further expands the range of exciting destinations available for our customers to choose from at affordable prices.”

Alongside the flight-only options, easyJet holidays is offering package deals across all new destinations, bundling flights with hotel accommodation, 23kg luggage and transfers on selected beach holidays such as Sharm El Sheikh, Agadir and Fuerteventura.

Holiday packages can be secured with a deposit of £60 per person, a pricing strategy aimed at encouraging early bookings for winter travel while spreading the cost for customers.

All nine routes are now available to book via easyJet’s website and mobile app, with the airline signalling further intent to strengthen its UK network as it enters the winter 2026 travel season.

For Belfast travellers in particular, the introduction of direct flights to both Rome and Sharm El Sheikh marks a notable expansion in outbound options, reducing the need for connections and placing two high-demand destinations within direct reach for the first time on a regular schedule.

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Quick scan: easyJet’s new winter routes

• Belfast International → Sharm El Sheikh | Wed & Sun | From 25 Oct | £118.99

• Belfast International → Rome | Mon & Fri | From 26 Oct | £28.99

• Southampton → Paris CDG | Thu & Sun | From 25 Oct | £28.99

• London Luton → Ljubljana | Mon, Wed & Fri | From 26 Oct | £40.99

• London Southend → Budapest | Mon & Fri | From 26 Oct | £23.99

• Newcastle → Fuerteventura | Thu & Sun | From 25 Oct | £28.99

• Newcastle → Krakow | Mon & Fri | From 26 Oct | £25.99

• Newcastle → Reykjavik | Tue & Sat | From 27 Oct | £27.17

• Birmingham → Agadir | Tue & Sat | From 27 Oct | £39.99

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At a glance

• easyJet launches two new routes from Belfast International: Rome and Sharm El Sheikh

• Sharm El Sheikh flights start 25 October, operating Wednesdays and Sundays

• Rome flights start 26 October, operating Mondays and Fridays

• easyJet will be the only airline on both Belfast routes

• Fares from £118.99 (Sharm El Sheikh) and £28.99 (Rome) one way

• Nine new UK routes launching in total for winter 2026

• easyJet holidays packages include flights, hotel, luggage and transfers

• Package holidays available from £60 deposit per person

• All routes now on sale via easyJet website and mobile app