Belfast City Airport Moves Forward With £200m Expansion Plans

Belfast City Airport has taken the next step towards a major expansion of its operations, with proposals that could allow more flights, later scheduled services and significant development of the airport’s terminal and airfield infrastructure.

The airport has submitted Proposal of Application Notices to Belfast City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council, beginning the consultation process ahead of formal planning applications expected later this year.

The proposals form part of Belfast City Airport’s wider Master Plan 2040, which could unlock up to £200 million of private investment as the airport prepares for passenger numbers to potentially reach seven million per year by 2040.

More Flights and Later Operations

One of the biggest proposed changes is an increase in the number of aircraft movements permitted at Belfast City Airport each year.

The airport currently has an annual limit of 48,000 movements and is seeking to increase this to 61,000 — a rise of around 27%.

Belfast City is also seeking permission to extend its scheduled operating hours by one hour.

Scheduled flights are currently restricted after 9:30pm, but the proposals would allow scheduled operations to continue until 10:30pm.

The existing restriction preventing flights between midnight and 6:29am would remain unchanged.

Changes to the operating hours and aircraft movement limit are separate from the infrastructure planning applications and would require amendments to the airport’s existing Planning Agreement through Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure.

The airport says the additional flights could be accommodated within its existing noise contour limit and environmental controls.

Terminal Expansion and Additional Aircraft Stands

The wider development could bring substantial changes to Belfast City Airport itself.

Plans include an expansion of the existing passenger terminal alongside additional aircraft stands and improvements to airfield infrastructure.

Ground access would also be upgraded, with proposals including a new multimodal forecourt and additional parking.

Complementary development around the airport could also include a new hotel.

Despite the scale of the expansion, there are currently no plans to extend Belfast City Airport’s existing runway.

Direct Rail Connection Remains Part of the Vision

A direct rail connection also remains part of Belfast City Airport’s longer-term plans.

The airport has been working with Translink on proposals for a new rail halt on the Bangor line, with the development plans protecting space for a pedestrian connection between the railway and airport terminal.

If eventually delivered, Belfast City Airport says the project could make it the first airport on the island of Ireland to have a direct rail connection.

Preparing for Seven Million Passengers

Belfast City Airport believes extending its operating hours and increasing its annual aircraft movement allowance will be important in accommodating future passenger growth and improving Northern Ireland’s connectivity with the rest of the UK and Europe.

The airport’s network remains heavily focused on domestic UK services, alongside a growing selection of European connections.

Aer Lingus Regional currently operates a substantial network from Belfast City, while British Airways, easyJet, KLM and Loganair also serve the airport.

Under its Master Plan 2040 forecasts, Belfast City Airport could eventually handle as many as seven million passengers annually.

The airport estimates that delivery of the wider plan could support more than 23,000 jobs across Northern Ireland and contribute around £1.7 billion each year to the regional economy.

The submission of the latest planning notices represents an important step towards turning Belfast City Airport’s long-term expansion plans into reality.

Formal planning applications are expected to follow later this year, while separate approval will be required before any changes can be made to the airport’s existing flight limits and scheduled operating hours.