New Belfast-based airline Fly Atlantic plans to live up to its name with transatlantic crossings available in around 18 months' time.
According to the Fly Atlantic website, the airline "is planning to launch in summer 2024" and will connect cities in Europe and North America "through its Belfast International Airport hub".
Belfast newspaper The Irish News reported that new carrier would launch with six aircraft but had plans to expand to 18 by 2028, by which time it hopes to fly t0 36 destinations.
According to industry veteran Andrew Pyne, who is backing the start-up, "the lack of direct transatlantic air services has clearly been an impediment to Northern Ireland’s economic and tourism development".
Pyne, who was an advisor to defunct Icelandic carrier WOW Air, said Fly Atlantic would start recruiting early next year.