AVIATION ground services company Swissport is to create 100 new jobs at Belfast International Airport.
The new positions, 10 of which are already in place, are coming on board as a result of planned airline growth.
It follows a recent announcement by Irish carrier Ryanair that it plans for up to six new routes from Aldergrove, starting with flights to London Gatwick from April.
Last week, security company ICTS said it would add 40 new staff.
The recruitment at Swissport will see its workforce reach around 350.
The new jobs, which will be in several areas of activity including passenger check-in and baggage and freight handling, will pay around £16,000.
Swissport manager in Belfast Jean Foster said: "There will be a significant increase in the number of aircraft movements and that means greater demand for the wide range of services we provide.
“We’re an essential cog in the wheel at the airport, and this expansion will see us confirmed as the single biggest employer on the site. This year, we expect to see double-digit growth in passengers and that’s powering our rapid expansion plans.”
Belfast International Airport operations director Alan Whiteside commended Swissport for its prompt response to the anticipated growth in passenger numbers.
“This is second big job announcement we have made in as many weeks and is a boost not only for south Antrim but for the Northern Ireland economy," he said.
“These jobs are demand-driven. The fact that they do not depend on a single penny of support from the government means we’re seeing a win-win for the wider economy and the taxpayer.
“This proves how Belfast International is a real engine for growth, and it’s a real pity that ministers at Stormont don’t seem to understand that or choose to ignore it.
“This airport has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new businesses if ministers gave the sector the relatively small levels of support it needs to attract new airlines and open new routes.
“We also need ministers to confront the issue of air passenger duty (APD). It’s the ball and chain that’s holding us back. Without it, we could make a major contribution to growing the private sector economy in Northern Ireland.”
Belfast International Airport has faced increased competition for Dublin Airport in recent years.
The Dublin Airport Authority yesterday said it had seen a 9 per cent increase in traffic between the airport and London to 4.5 million journeys, making it the second busiest international route in the world.
