Low-cost airline Jet2 has said it will not return to Belfast International Airport until it gets reassurances on runway safety.
The airport last night said it was investigating Jet2's concerns about resurfacing work but insisted no other airline had reported any issues.
It said one Jet2 aircraft had reported engine-related problems on three occasions but there was no conclusive evidence linking this with the runway maintenance programme.
Passengers yesterday suffered delays of more than eight hours after a Jet2 flight between Belfast International and Leeds was switched to Belfast City Airport. The flight also suffered technical problems.
A scheduled flight today to Tenerife will meanwhile operate from the City of Derry Airport.
Jet2 said a bus would be provided for passengers who check-in at Belfast International, but they could travel directly to Derry.
The airline added that its flights between Belfast and Leeds would continue to operate from the George Best City Airport until further notice.
Announcements on the company's other international flights would be made later in the week, it said.
Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com, said: "We took the difficult decision to cease operations at Belfast International Airport. This is due to increased safety concerns during the current runway maintenance programme.
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause however the safety of our customers is of paramount importance and we will not operate from Belfast International Airport until we have reassurances on the runway maintenance."
Belfast International Airport said aircraft and passenger safety was its main priority at all times.
"We can confirm that we are engaged in an extensive runway resurfacing project at Belfast International, but the unseasonal weather has prevented any substantive work taking place for almost three weeks," the airport said in a statement.
"During this down-time, one Jet2 aircraft has been reported as exhibiting engine-related problems on three occasions. No other airline, nor indeed any other Jet2 aircraft or aircraft of this type, has reported any similar issue. A full investigation is under way to assess what actually occurred.
"At this stage, there is no conclusive evidence connecting these reported problems with the runway maintenance at Belfast International Airport."
Rival airline easyJet, which flies to more than 20 destinations from the Co Antrim airport, said it had been closely monitoring the condition of the runway on a daily basis but the resurfacing work "has caused no issues" to date.
"We have no plans to cease flying from Belfast International Airport. The safety of our passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and we would never operate to an airport unless we are confident it is safe to do so."
The Civil Aviation Authority also said it had confidence in Belfast International Airport's safety levels.
Passengers experienced long delays yesterday after being bussed from Belfast International to Belfast City for Jet2's morning flight to Leeds.
After making the transfer, they were then told that a technical fault would delay the flight further.
Daniel Lynch, a student at Leeds Trinity University, was among those affected.
The 22-year-old, from Belfast, said: "It's a bit of an inconvenience. I have missed a full day of class as a result of this and I have had essays to hand in today. I have heard other people talking about missing work."
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