Belfast International Airport is a very busy airport, handling more than 5 million passengers a year. It is the 11th busiest airport in the United Kingdom. There are services to the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Mexico.
The airport is only 13 miles from Belfast, and easily reached from Londonderry and the Irish Republic.
The airport shares the runway with RAF Aldergrove. A mix of scheduled and charter airlines use the airport, providing services to over 70 destinations. Scheduled services account for nearly 50 of these destinations.
Major airlines operating from the airport include:
- Aer Lingus
- bmibaby
- Continental Airways ( USA)
- easjJet
- flyglobespan
- jet2.com
- manx2.com
- Thomas Cook airlines
- Thomson
The airport has the advantage of not being subject to noise restrictions, making 24 hour operations possible. There are plans in hand to develop the airport considerably in the near future.
Belfast International Airport has announced a large £10 million pound investment in airport facilities. Here is their press release:
Major renovation will create ‘new’ airport
06 May 2009
Belfast International Airport makes significant investment in transforming customer experience
PASSENGERS at Belfast International Airport are set to benefit from a £10 million facelift as major construction work gets underway to update and improve facilities throughout the terminal.
Work on the privately-funded project will start immediately with the relocation of central security search to the departures concourse, a move designed to speed up passengers' journeys through the airport.
This will be followed by the construction of a new two - storey glazed facade at the front of the terminal which will accommodate lifts, stairs and escalators to reach the departures concourse followed by a reconfiguration of the duty free area, creating space for over 20 retail, food and beverage outlets.
The development is scheduled to be complete by summer 2010 and brings to over £35 million the total amount invested in the airport in the last five years as part of an ongoing commitment to transform the look and feel of the airport and enhance customer experience.
John Doran, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, says the redesign will make the airport more user-friendly by easing passenger flow from check-in to departure gates, and also significantly improve the retail and catering offer.
"Our exciting plans to improve the terminal building will transform Belfast International Airport. We will be creating modern, spacious and service-focused facilities designed to make the airport easy and convenient to use."
Mr Doran is also quick to point out that the phased approach to the development means minimum disruption for passengers who are increasingly coming to the airport from all over the northern half of the island of Ireland.
"The construction will not affect the day to day operations of the airport and we will be taking all the necessary steps to ensure that passengers are not unduly inconvenienced. We have carefully phased the work so that even during our busiest summer months, customers will not be adversely affected or delayed as a consequence.
"And those customers are coming from all over Ireland as the airport has firmly established itself as the airport of choice for people living in the northern half of the island. Given the relative strength of the euro and the extensive choice of routes on offer it's not hard to see why they are coming. This new multi-million pound investment by abertis airports, our parent company, affirms our commitment to the people of the region."
Mr Doran adds; "It is important to note, given the current economic situation, that not a single penny of the £10 million is coming from the public purse."
Antrim-based contractor Russell Simpson Construction is carrying out the construction work. Russell Simpson, Managing Director commented;
"The Belfast International Airport Redevelopment project is an important addition to our growing portfolio of clients and we are delighted to be of service to the management of BIA, their stakeholders and the many visitors who frequent the airport during this contract." "
This welcome investment will transform the Airport - good news indeed for passengers.
Belfast International Airport has made another important investment as described in the following press announcement:
Half a million investment in passenger facilities
19 June 2009
As Continental Airlines celebrates 4th birthday at Belfast International Airport
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster today welcomed the opening of a new £500,000 passenger airbridge at Belfast International Airport.
The investment comes hot on the heels of a recent announcement by Belfast International Airport that £10million will be spent revamping the airport terminal for the benefit of its passengers.
John Doran, managing director of Belfast International Airport, said; "It is wonderful that we are able to stand here today and announce more investment into passenger facilities. We are committed to enhancing the passenger experience, and indeed the tourist experience, as soon as you step on or off a flight at Belfast International Airport."
"It is with great pleasure that we celebrate with Continental Airlines their fourth year of flying from Northern Ireland, not only connecting us to the United States but providing crucial access for US tourists to visit NI.
The main user of the airbridge, US-based airline Continental Airlines, who fly daily to New York from Belfast International, welcomed the investment. "As the operator of Northern Ireland'> > s only scheduled trans-atlantic service, we welcome the addition of this state-of-the-art airbridge," said Bob Schumacher, Continental Airlines' Senior Director U.K. & Ireland. "We know our customers will appreciate the convenience and shelter it offers during boarding and disembarkation."
The airline is celebrating four successful years flying out of BIA, carrying well over 400,000 passengers in that time to its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport where passengers can connect to over 200 destinations across the Americas. The airline is also responsible for bringing thousands of tourists to Northern Ireland.
Arlene Foster said: "This new airbridge coincides with the fourth anniversary of Continental Airlines' service to Northern Ireland and signals the company's ongoing commitment to the region.
"It is also part of a wider £10million investment programme at Belfast International Airport to improve facilities throughout the terminal, which in turn will improve the welcome afforded to visitors.
"In 2008, around 78% of tourists arrived into Northern Ireland by air. This follows the work of the Air Route Development Fund which encouraged the development of new European and international air links.
"It is therefore very encouraging that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is working closely with the airport on a range of initiatives to enhance the greeting that tourists receive upon arrival. This includes the provision of training to improve customer service.
"If Northern Ireland is to continue to grow its tourist numbers, it must offer a top class experience from the moment a visitor steps off the plane, collects their baggage, gets into a taxi, right through to their arrival at the hotel and beyond. The NITB is working hard to take advantage of these opportunities in order to influence the experience for visitors during their time here." "
Yet more good news for passengers using Belfast International Airport.
There is a good selection of Belfast airport parking. Take a look at the car parks availble. We have provided directions to each one.
A wide variety of Belfast Airport parking options are available.
