The airport’s Business Development Director, Uel Hoey, says the decision to add capacity to an air corridor growing in importance is welcome news.
Mr Hoey said: “Ryanair knows that Manchester is a major commercial centre and that demand from Northern Ireland more than justifies this decision.
“This will be a seven-day a-week, year-round service that will strengthen access. It will have very clear consumer benefits to a market of over 2.5 million and which has developed a reputation as a centre for creative industries.
“Ryanair’s announcement enhances Northern Ireland’s air connectivity and is a welcome boost for the airport and the regional economy.”
In addition to Manchester and Stansted, Ryanair’s route network out of Belfast International includes Berlin, Milan, Malta, five Spanish and four Polish destinations.