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1 How has Belfast City Airport recovered since the start of the COVID pandemic?
Belfast City Airport is a very different airport now compared to pre-pandemic. The pandemic brought about significant changes, but we have built back an extensive route network with more convenience and choice for our customers.
2 What destinations are available this summer season?
We are privileged to be able to offer passengers direct access to 27 top domestic and international destinations this summer.
These are: Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Bologna, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Palma de Mallorca, Southampton, and Teesside International.
However, with frequent flights to key hub airports around the UK and Europe facilitating onward connections, Belfast City Airport is also a gateway to exploring the rest of the world.
3 What do you feel is the greatest attraction for passengers flying from Belfast City Airport?
Unrivalled convenience. Located just five minutes from Belfast city centre, we have been named the UK and Ireland’s most convenient airport, and as a compact one-terminal building, passengers benefit from added convenience on site with car to boarding gate times being among the shortest in Europe.
Additionally, our average security processing times of just six minutes are testament to Belfast City Airport’s commitment to delivering an exceptional airport journey for passengers.
4 What is your favourite summer holiday destination from Belfast City Airport?
Newquay (South West of England) has a special place in my heart. I am a regular visitor during the summer and love exploring the beautiful beaches.
5 What is the biggest challenge currently facing Belfast City Airport?
We were fortunate to experience a relatively quick recovery following the pandemic – people were excited about being able to travel again – and reached our pre-pandemic volumes by the end of 2022. This was a fantastic achievement as we were able to offer passengers more routes with a wider portfolio of airline partners, but it did present us with challenges.
To facilitate these increased operations, we had to introduce additional resources while ensuring our high levels of safety and passenger experience. Of course, this is not a bad challenge to face, and we welcome the opportunity and growth that we have experienced in recent years.
6 What more could the government do to support regional airports like Belfast City Airport?
We were fortunate to have received strong support from the government throughout the pandemic and although we welcome plans to reduce Air Passenger Duty (APD), an excise duty charged on the carriage of passengers, we believe that there are significant gains to be made from the complete eradication of APD.
7 What is your favourite city break destination from Belfast City Airport?
With a network of 20 city destinations, it’s difficult to pick just one! From the cultural centres of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Edinburgh to football hotspots such as Manchester and Liverpool and the rolling highlands of Inverness – it’s simply wonderful to have the choice of so many.
8 What sustainability measures have been taken at Belfast City Airport?
In addition to aligning our sustainability strategy with 11 of the UN’s sustainability development goals, we were the first airport in Northern Ireland to participate in the “Airport Carbon Accreditation” programme, a carbon management certification standard run by Airport Council International, which recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.
Our continued endeavours to reduce our operational impact on the planet recently earned Belfast City Airport platinum status, the highest accolade possible, at Business in the Community Northern Ireland’s Environmental Benchmarking Survey 2022.
9 What is the one thing you can’t travel/fly without?
I suppose the most obvious answer would be my passport! But legal requirements aside, I would say a good book is a must-have for any flight.
10 Can you share a fun fact about Belfast City Airport?
2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the first commercial flight from Belfast City Airport.
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