Major UK airport’s massive £200million expansion plans to TRIPLE passenger numbers with more flights & direct train link
A UK airport with international flights is set to undergo a multi-million redevelopment – its first in nearly a decade.
Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland has revealed the latest plans for its £200million expansion.
The plans are part of the airport’s Master Plan 2040 and would include expanding passenger facilities as well as creating new airfield infrastructure.
There will be new airport access as well as a new forecourt, additional parking and a hotel.
There are currently no plans to extend the airport though.
The airport is also hoping to increase its operating hours from 15 to 16 hours per day.
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In addition, the airport wants to increase its annual flights from 48,000 to 61,000.
Other plans include a potential new rail connection.
The wider 2040 plan includes serving up to seven million passengers per year, compared to just 2.36million today.
Eventually there will be new aircraft stands, aprons and a taxiway too.
Routes from the airport are mainly to other UK destinations, but there are flights to Amsterdam as well as seasonal routes to destinations including Majorca in Spain.
Matthew Hall, Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, said: “Delivery of our Master Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will benefit passengers and businesses across the region, whilst delivering key elements of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government.
“Every airport on the island of Ireland will need to play its part in meeting future demand, and this draft Master Plan exemplifies Belfast City Airport’s commitment to doing so, while reinforcing our position as a vital economic enabler for the region.
“We want more passengers to arrive by public transport and leave their cars at home, hence a focus on greener journeys within the Master Plan.
He added that they have partnered with Translink to look into creating a new rail halt linking the airport with Belfast city centre on the Bangor line.