Belfast City Airport: A Compact Aviation Hub

Belfast is served by two airports: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport. The latter, officially known as Belfast City Airport, is an international airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland, situated in County Down. It is adjacent to the Belfast Harbour and is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast City Centre. The airport began commercial operations in 1983 and was known as Belfast City Airport until it was renamed in 2006 in memory of George Best, the professional footballer from Belfast. On the other hand, Belfast International Airport is Northern Ireland's principal airport and is located 11.5 NM (21.3 km; 13.2 mi) northwest of Belfast. It is the main airport for the city and offers various transport options, including regular buses, taxis, and airport parking.

Location

George Best Belfast City Airport, previously known as Belfast City Airport, is located in County Down, Northern Ireland. The airport is adjacent to Belfast Harbour and is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast City Centre. It is situated 11.5 NM (21.3 km; 13.2 mi) northwest of the city of Belfast. The airport is also near residential areas, and the issue of noise pollution has been a major source of public debate. A planning agreement has been made, and the airport has established operational noise abatement procedures.

Belfast City Airport shares its site with the Spirit AeroSystems aircraft manufacturing facility (formerly known as Short Brothers/Bombardier). The airport is accessible by various means of transport, including regular buses, taxis, and parking options. Translink operates an express bus service (route 300) to the airport from Belfast Grand Central, running 24 hours a day and every 15 minutes during peak times. The nearest railway station is Antrim railway station, located 10 km (6.2 mi) from the airport.

Belfast City Airport has four car parks, including three on-site car parks and one off-site car park. The on-site short-stay and main car parks are within walking distance of the terminal building, while a courtesy bus operates to and from the on-site long-stay car park. The off-site car park, called "Park and Fly," is located near the main airport entrance and is also serviced by a courtesy bus.

The airport's history dates back to its beginnings as Belfast Harbour Airport, which was later replaced by Nutts Corner Airport in 1946. It was renamed Aldergrove Airport in 1983, after the nearby village of Aldergrove, County Antrim. The airport shared its airfield with the Royal Air Force base RAF Aldergrove until it closed in 2008. In 2006, the airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport in memory of the professional footballer from Belfast.

History

The George Best Belfast City Airport, formerly known as Belfast City Airport, is an international airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The airport began commercial operations in 1983 as Belfast Harbour Airport, succeeding Nutts Corner Airport as Northern Ireland's civil airport.

In 1937, Sydenham Airport was established by Shorts beside its Belfast factory at Sydenham and was opened in 1938 by Anne Chamberlain, the wife of then-British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. During World War II, the airfield construction programme led to the building of Nutts Corner Airport, which replaced Belfast Harbour Airport as Northern Ireland's civil airport in 1946. However, by the 1950s, civil air traffic had outgrown Nutts Corner, and in 1959, it was decided to move civil flights back to Aldergrove, with the new terminal opened in 1963.

Belfast City Airport was renamed in March 2006 to honour Northern Irish footballer George Best, a decision that caused some controversy among Belfast residents. The airport has a CAA public use aerodrome licence that permits flights for public transport and flying instruction. As of 2024, the airport caters to 2.3 million passengers annually, with 6 airlines operating 30 routes across the UK and Europe.

Belfast City Airport has undergone several ownership changes. In 2003, Bombardier sold the airport to Ferrovial, the Spanish owner of BAA Airports, for £35 million. Subsequently, in 2008, Ferrovial resold the airport to ABN Amro Global Infrastructure Fund for £132.5 million.

Passenger numbers

While I could not find the exact size of Belfast City Airport, I did find information on its passenger numbers.

Belfast City Airport, previously known as Belfast Harbour Airport, is Northern Ireland's second principal airport. In 1985, passenger numbers reached 1.5 million. By 1994, when the airport was privatised, this number had risen to 2.5 million. In 2023, 5.9 million passengers travelled through the airport, a recovery to 95% of pre-pandemic numbers. In the first quarter of 2024, the airport served 1.3 million passengers, representing 98% of pre-pandemic numbers. This indicates a strong recovery, with a busy year expected ahead.

In 2024, over 6.7 million passengers travelled through the airport, a 13% increase compared to 2023, and the highest number in the airport's history. This increase in passenger numbers can be attributed to the airport's growing list of destinations and increased GB and European connectivity. easyJet, Northern Ireland's biggest airline, has added Tunisia and Larnaca to its network. Meanwhile, Ryanair and Jet2 have introduced new flights to Malta, and TUI has launched services to Salzburg and Turin as winter destinations. Travel Solutions continues to offer popular flights to Bulgaria and Italy, and Balkan Holidays operates year-round services to Bulgaria.

Transport links

Belfast City Airport is located just 5 minutes from Belfast city centre. It is easily accessible by various means of transport.

Train

If travelling by train, you can disembark at Sydenham rail halt and walk a short distance along the Sydenham Bypass to the terminal building. Train services depart from Sydenham train station regularly during peak times, providing a convenient connection to the city centre. A footbridge is present at the station, so passengers with reduced mobility or difficulty using steps may prefer to avoid this route. Tickets can be purchased from the train conductor or via the mLink app.

Bus

The Airport Express 300 service, operated by Translink, runs 7 days a week and connects the airport to the wider Northern Ireland public transport network. At peak times on weekdays, buses run every 15 minutes. Tickets cost £9.50 for a single and £13.50 for a one-month return and can be bought from the tourist information desk, the driver, or via the mLink app. All Translink Airport Express buses are low-floor and accessible for wheelchair users, with audio-visual equipment to assist those with hearing or sight impairments.

Car

Car hire and parking are available at the airport, and taxis are also an option for travellers.

Noise pollution

A 2013 report by the Belfast Telegraph revealed that over 8,000 people living near the airport suffer from aircraft noise levels that the UK Government deems "significant community annoyance". The report found that 8,616 people within a specific zone around the airport experience an average of 57 decibels of aircraft noise over a 16-hour period in the summer. In response to this, the airport has implemented a Noise Action Plan, covering the period 2019-2023, which outlines existing and proposed measures to prevent and reduce aircraft noise.

Belfast City Airport has a range of procedures in place to minimise noise disturbance on the surrounding community. These include restricting scheduled flights to between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm, limiting air traffic movements to 48,000 in any 12-month period, and prohibiting aircraft that do not meet noise standards. The airport also operates a noise and track monitoring system and has introduced procedures to reduce ground noise. To further reduce noise, the airport maintains a preference for approaches and departures over Belfast Lough, which helps to minimise noise over the city. Aircraft are required to maintain certain altitudes before turning when departing over the Lough or the city to minimise the noise impact on the community.

Despite these measures, there is criticism that the airport's self-regulation of noise management presents a conflict of interest. Dr Liz Fawcett, chair of the Belfast City Airport Watch Steering Group, has compared this self-regulation to "permitting factories or farms to regulate their own pollution". The airport has responded by stating that it acts in accordance with all noise legislation and will submit its draft noise action plans to the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions