Belfast City Airport Seeks Flight Cap and Hour Increases

Belfast City Airport is seeking permission from the Department for Infrastructure to extend its operating hours and increase its annual flight traffic cap. The proposal is part of a 200 million pound expansion plan designed to accommodate a forecast doubling of air travel demand on the island of Ireland over the next 15 years, with a goal of serving seven million passengers annually by 2040.

The airport proposes extending scheduled flight operations by 60 minutes to run until 10:30 p.m. and raising the annual flight movement limit from 48,000 to 61,000. The broader master plan includes new airfield infrastructure, extended passenger facilities, additional parking, and a hotel. To improve accessibility, the airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Translink to explore a potential pedestrian link to a future rail halt.

The airport has submitted a proposal of application notice to Belfast City Council and Ards & North Down Borough Council, which has triggered a public consultation. Chief Executive Matthew Hall stated that the changes would provide the operational flexibility needed for airline schedules and route development while balancing growth with the commitment to be a responsible neighbor.