Belfast City Airport has revealed a £200 million proposal to update its infrastructure, with plans to extend its evening flights until 10:30pm. Draft plans submitted to Belfast City Council include extended passenger facilities, new airfield infrastructure, additional parking, and additional uses for the site, such as a hotel.
The airport is seeking permission to operate later flights, moving from a 15-hour day to a 16-hour day with scheduled operations until 10:30pm instead of 9:30pm. This change could increase annual traffic movements from 48,000 up to 61,000, with ambitions to support seven million annual passengers by 2040.
Matthew Hall, chief executive at Belfast City Airport, stated that the proposals are designed to support growth in a balanced way and do not include any extension to the existing runway. More information will be provided in the coming weeks following a community consultation, with plans then to be put to Belfast City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council later this year.