An increasing number of passengers from Belfast are using Schipol Airport in Amsterdam as a transfer point for destinations worldwide, according to figures released by the Dutch airline KLM. Twelve months ago KLM introduced larger aircraft, and increased the number of daily flights to three.

Since then passenger numbers have increased by more than 400 per cent to 114,000. Of these, more than 60 per cent use Amsterdam as the connecting point for other destinations.

The airline's marketing director, Mr Tony Camacho, described the growth as "phenomenal", and said that KLM was hoping to capitalise on the increase by opening a dedicated KLM departure area at Belfast International Airport.