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Belfast has two airports: Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport. Belfast International Airport is the main airport for the city and is located 13.2 miles northwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's principal airport and the second-largest gateway on the island of Ireland. In 2024, the airport had its busiest year ever, serving 6.7 million passengers. Belfast City Airport, on the other hand, is located in the heart of Belfast and offers a range of shops and restaurants for travellers to enjoy before their flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Belfast International Airport |
| Previous Names | Aldergrove Airport, Belfast Harbour Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport |
| Location | 11.5 NM (21.3 km; 13.2 mi) northwest of Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Yearly Passengers | 6.7 million (2024) |
| Airlines | easyJet, Jet2.com, Jet2holidays, Ryanair, TUI, Thomas Cook Airlines (until 2019), Woodgate Aviation, Global Trek Aviation |
| Public Transport Connections | Translink bus service 300, Airporter, 109A bus service from Lisburn bus centre, Antrim railway station (10km away) |
| Facilities | Duty-free shopping, restaurants and cafes, Aspire Lounge, Samson's Kitchen & Bar, The Artisan, Starbucks, Caffe Nero, private jet terminal |
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What You'll Learn
Belfast International Airport
The airport has undergone significant upgrades and developments over the years. In the 1970s, Northern Ireland Airports Limited was formed to oversee improvements to runways, taxiways, and parking aprons. A new International Pier, lounge facilities, and car parks were constructed, enhancing the airport's capabilities. In 1983, the airport was regularly accommodating the largest civil aircraft and had become capable of all-weather operations.
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Belfast City Airport
Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport. This answer will focus on Belfast City Airport.
The airport offers a range of shops and restaurants, including Samson's Kitchen & Bar, The Artisan, Starbucks, and Caffe Nero. It also provides special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, hidden disabilities, and impairments.
The airport can be accessed by bus, train, or car. Translink operates an express bus service to the airport from Belfast Grand Central, running 24 hours a day. The nearest railway station is Antrim railway station, 10 km (6.2 mi) from the airport, with connections to Belfast, Lisburn, and Derry.
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Airport transport connections
Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport.
Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport is located 13.2 miles (21.3 km) northwest of the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland. It is easily accessible by various means of transport.
Translink operates an express bus service (300) to the airport from Belfast Grand Central. This runs 24 hours a day, every 15 minutes at peak times. Translink also offers bus connections to Antrim railway station, which is the nearest train station to the airport. The Ulsterbus (109A) service operates between Lisburn Rail Station, Belfast International Airport, and Antrim Buscentre. The Airporter provides a connection to Derry and the northwest.
There are also regular taxis to and from the airport. Belfast International Airport has several parking options and car hire companies with outlets in the arrivals hall.
Belfast City Airport
Belfast City Airport is located just five minutes from Belfast city centre. It has excellent links to public transport and all major roads, routes, and motorways in and out of Belfast.
The airport has a designated Airport Express 600 Service, which runs every 20 minutes during peak times from the front of the terminal building to Belfast Grand Central Station in the centre of Belfast. The journey takes around 10 minutes.
The nearest train station to the airport is Sydenham rail halt, from which passengers can walk to the terminal via the Sydenham Bypass. NI Railways services connect Belfast City Airport with the rest of Northern Ireland.
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Airport facilities and amenities
Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport (formerly Belfast Harbour Airport).
Belfast International Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for departing passengers, including cash machines, currency exchange services, airport information, a business lounge, and baby change facilities. The airport also features an extensive selection of shops and restaurants, as well as a visitor information desk in the arrivals hall, providing assistance with visitor attractions, accommodation, and onward travel. The airport has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence, enabling public transport flights and flying instruction.
Belfast International Airport is easily accessible by various transportation options. Translink operates an express bus service, providing 24-hour connections to the city, with frequent departures during peak times. Additionally, bus services are available from Lisburn Bus Centre, and the nearest railway station is Antrim, approximately 10 kilometres away, offering connections to Belfast, Lisburn, and Derry.
George Best Belfast City Airport boasts one of the shortest average security processing times in the UK, allowing passengers more time to enjoy the airport's amenities. The airport features a World Duty Free store with a Reserve and Collect service, allowing travellers to shop before they fly. A range of restaurants and cafes cater to different tastes, including Samson's Kitchen & Bar, The Artisan, Starbucks, and Caffe Nero. The airport also provides an Aspire Lounge, offering a relaxing environment with scenic views of the runway, complimentary food and drinks, charging points, and privacy booths.
Both airports offer special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, hidden disabilities, or other impairments. This includes support throughout the terminal, during security processing, and when boarding or disembarking the aircraft.
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Airlines operating from Belfast
Yes, there are two airports in Belfast: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport (formerly known as Belfast Harbour Airport). Belfast International Airport is the main airport for the city and is located 13.2 miles northwest of the city. It is the larger of the two airports, serving over 6.7 million passengers in 2024, a 13% increase from 2023. The majority of flights from Belfast International Airport are operated by easyJet, Northern Ireland's biggest airline, offering flights to several European metropolitan and leisure destinations. Other airlines that operate from Belfast International Airport include Thomas Cook Airlines, which operated seasonal routes to Europe and other destinations until the company's collapse in September 2019, and Ryanair, which returned to the airport in 2022 after a brief absence. Woodgate Aviation and Global Trek Aviation also have a presence at the airport, with the former being the only FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) providing hangarage.
Belfast City Airport, located in the heart of Belfast, also offers a range of flight options. The airport provides easy access to local flavours, dining options, and shopping opportunities in its departures lounge. It also has an exclusive Aspire Lounge for passengers to relax and recharge before their flight.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Belfast has two airports: Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport.
Belfast International Airport is the main airport for the city of Belfast and is the second largest gateway on the island of Ireland.
In 2024, Belfast International Airport served a record-breaking 6.757 million passengers, the highest number in the airport's history.
