Belfast International Airport welcomes Azerbaijan Airlines' Dreamliner
Belfast International Airport has welcomed an aircraft making its first appearance in Northern Ireland - the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The long-haul twin-engine jet touched down earlier this evening with the Azerbaijan football team on board. The team will play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Friday evening.
It was also a first for Baku-based, Azerbaijan Airlines.
The Dreamliner is a mid-size widebody with a range of more than 15,000 km, has a 60 metre wingspan and has a top speed of 954 km/h. Depending on configuration, it can carry up to 335 passengers.
Belfast International Airport Public Relations Manager, Deborah Harris, said: “We are delighted to welcome this impressive aircraft and, of course, the Azerbaijani team. Azerbaijan Airlines is the country’s flag carrier with a fleet of 30 aircraft.
“It operates to 53 destinations across Asia, The Commonwealth of Independent States, formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Europe and the United States of America.
“There has been considerable interest shown by eager place-spotters with many turning up to to the Viewing Gallery to get a closer look and take photos of the aircraft.
“We warmly welcome our visitors and hope they enjoy their stay, which is not to say that we want them to leave with a win from their Windsor Park engagement on Friday evening.”