View source for Belfast City Airport

{{short description|Airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland}}
{{distinguish|Belfast International Airport}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox airport
| name                = George Best Belfast City Airport
| nativename          = 
| image               = Belfast City Airport logo 2024.svg
| image-width         = 100
| image2              = George_Best_Belfast_City_Airport_-_geograph.org.uk_-_714574.jpg
| image2-width        = 250
| IATA                = BHD
| ICAO                = EGAC
| type                = Public
| owner               = [[3i]]
| operator            = Belfast City Airport Ltd.
| city-served         = [[Belfast]] and surrounding cities
| location            = [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland
| hub                 = {{unbulleted list|[[Aer Lingus]]}}
| elevation-f         = 15
| elevation-m         = 5
| coordinates         = {{coord|54|37|05|N|05|52|21|W|type:airport_region:GB-BFS|display=inline,title}}
| website             = {{url|http://www.belfastcityairport.com}}
| pushpin_map         = United Kingdom Greater Belfast#UK Northern Ireland#Island of Ireland#United Kingdom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Greater Belfast##Location in Northern Ireland##Location on the island of Ireland##Location in the United Kingdom
| pushpin_label       = EGAC
| r1-number           = 04/22
| r1-length-f         = 6,000
| r1-length-m         = 1,829
| r1-surface          = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| metric-rwy          = Yes
| stat1-header        = Passengers
| stat1-data          = 2,391,124
| stat-year           = 2024
| footnotes           = Sources: UK [[Aeronautical Information Publication|AIP]] at [[National Air Traffic Services|NATS]]<ref name="aip">[http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=74.html Belfast/City – EGAC] {{dead link|date=July 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Nats-uk.ead-it.com.</ref><br />Statistics from the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]]<ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/ |title=Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports |publisher=[[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]] |date=16 March 2018 |access-date=16 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211070518/http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/ |archive-date=11 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| stat2-header        = Passenger change 23-24
| stat2-data          = {{increase}}13.0%
| stat3-header        = Aircraft movements
| stat3-data          = 29,282
| stat4-header        = Movements change 22-23
| stat4-data          = {{increase}}15.7%
| opened              = {{start date and age|df=y|1938|3|16|p=y}}
}}
{{George Best series}}

'''Belfast City Airport''', formally '''George Best Belfast City Airport''' {{Airport codes|BHD|EGAC}}, is an [[international airport]] in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland. Situated in [[County Down]], it is adjacent to the [[Belfast Harbour]]<ref name="aip" /> and is {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}}  from [[Belfast City Centre]]. It shares the site with the [[Spirit AeroSystems]] (formerly [[Short Brothers]]/[[Bombardier Aerospace|Bombardier]]) aircraft manufacturing facility. The airport began commercial operations in 1983, and was known as "Belfast City Airport" until it was renamed in 2006 in memory of [[George Best]], the professional [[Association football|footballer]] from Belfast.<ref name="best" /> The airport has a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]] public use aerodrome licence (number P862) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.

As of September 2025, 5 airlines operate 24 routes across the UK and Europe from Belfast City Airport.<ref name="Airlines and Routes">{{cite web |title=Airlines and Routes |url=https://www.belfastcityairport.com/flight-information/airlines-routes |access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref> In 2024, the airport handled over 2.3 million passengers, having peaked at 2.7 million in 2010.<ref name="stats"/> 
The airport serves as a regional base for [[Aer Lingus]] and [[British Airways]] who are the largest operators there. Ground handling is provided by [[Swissport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swissport.com/network/network-detail/?busiId=767&cHash=25855718dfee4899da7ff3c582f8d934|title=Swissport International Ltd. - Network|access-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124203945/http://www.swissport.com/network/network-detail/?busiId=767&cHash=25855718dfee4899da7ff3c582f8d934|archive-date=24 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[John Menzies|Menzies Aviation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.menziesaviation.com/network/list/p/16/ref/Network|title=Menzies Aviation - Network|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507200442/http://www.menziesaviation.com/network/list/p/16/ref/Network|archive-date=7 May 2015}}</ref> the latter also offering cargo handling services.

==History==
===Early years===
Sydenham Airport was established by [[Short Brothers|Shorts]] beside its Belfast factory at [[Sydenham, Belfast|Sydenham]] in 1937. It was opened on 16 March 1938 by [[Anne Chamberlain]], the wife of then British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. The inaugural flight was to [[Glasgow]], Scotland.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.belfastcityairport.com/About-Us/History.aspx|title=Belfast City Airport - History {{!}} About Us {{!}} Belfast City Airport|website=www.belfastcityairport.com|access-date=23 October 2019|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023205914/https://www.belfastcityairport.com/About-Us/History.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> This became Belfast's main civilian airport from 1938 to 1939. The airfield was requisitioned by the [[RAF]] as [[RAF Sydenham|RAF Belfast]] in 1941, then transferred to the [[Royal Navy]], becoming ''HMS Gadwall'' (also known as RNAS Belfast or RNAS Sydenham) in 1943.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Navy in World War II|url=http://historyhubulster.co.uk/royal-navy-world-war-ii/|access-date=2021-08-12|website=History Hub Ulster|language=en-US}}</ref> [[RAF Nutts Corner]] then became Belfast's main airport (while [[Belfast International Airport|Aldergrove]] would later become the primary airport in Northern Ireland).

In 1952, the runway was extended to its present {{Convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=}}.<ref name=":0" /> The airfield at Sydenham continued to be used for military purposes until the 1970s (reverting to RAF Belfast in 1973 and closing in 1978),<ref>{{cite web|title=RN Air Station Belfast - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives|url=https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/3253/rn-air-station-belfast|access-date=2021-08-12|website=www.forces-war-records.co.uk}}</ref> including a period of use by the Fleet Air Arm as a naval aircraft storage unit. After this, it was used solely by Shorts.

In 1983, following interest from airlines and customers, the airfield was opened for commercial flights as ''Belfast Harbour Airport'' (subsequently ''Belfast City Airport'' and then with its current name). Its [[IATA airport code]] ''BHD'' refers to ''[[Belfast Harbour]]'' and to its location in [[County Down]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K9QIAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Belfast+Harbour+Airport%22+down|title=The Origin and Development of the Ports of the United Kingdom|first=Sir David John|last=Owen|date=23 May 1948|publisher=Allman|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TXPvAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Belfast+Harbour%22+bhd|title=StarBriefs: A Dictionary of Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols in Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Related Fields : March 1992|first=André|last=Heck|date=23 May 1992|publisher=Observatoire Astronomique|isbn=9782908064179 |via=Google Books}}</ref> [[Flybe (1979-2020)|Jersey European]] began operations at the airport in 1988. At the time of its demise in 2020, the airline - by then called Flybe - operated a large base from the airport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belfast City bounces back|url=https://www.key.aero/article/belfast-city-bounces-back|access-date=2021-05-28|website=www.key.aero|date=24 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===Development from 2000 to 2019===
A new terminal was officially opened on 3 June 2001.<ref name=":0" /> Following major capital investment Bombardier sold the airport in 2003 for £35 million to the Spanish company [[Ferrovial]],<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/2932246.stm Spanish firm secures Northern Ireland Airport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040703021622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/2932246.stm |date=3 July 2004 }}. BBC News (23 May 2003).</ref> the owner of [[BAA Limited|BAA]] Airports. Ferrovial re-sold the airport in September 2008 for £132.5 million to [[ABN Amro]] Global Infrastructure Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belfastcityairport.com/News/Archive/AIRPORT-SALE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506212918/http://www.belfastcityairport.com/About-Us/News/AIRPORT-SALE.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Belfast City Airport - News &#124; Recent Stories &#124; Belfast City Airport|archive-date=6 May 2009|website=www.belfastcityairport.com}}</ref>

In March 2006, it was announced that the airport would be renamed in memory of Northern Irish [[Association football|footballer]] [[George Best]]. The new name, ''George Best Belfast City Airport'', and signage were revealed at the renaming ceremony attended by Best's family and friends on 22 May 2006, which would have been Best's 60th birthday.<ref name=best>{{cite news |title=Best family proud of airport name |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5002166.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=19 December 2011 |date=22 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429112649/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5002166.stm |archive-date=29 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The renaming of the airport caused controversy, with many articles in local and national print media highlighting the mixed feelings of Belfast residents.<ref>[http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=447492006 'George Best Airport' splits city] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918204309/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=447492006 |date=18 September 2007 }}. Thescotsman.scotsman.com (22 March 2006).</ref> Also in March 2006 Flybe announced that it would be naming its Belfast City – [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] service after the footballer, dedicating a plane to him.

In October 2007 [[Ryanair]] established its 23rd base at the airport, operating five routes and carrying 800,000 annual passengers. The airline closed its Belfast City base in 2010 due to delays in the planned runway extension. The airline stated that would fly to European destinations from the airport if the runway was extended.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11139463 | work=BBC News | title=Ryanair to pull out of Belfast City Airport | date=31 August 2010 | access-date=20 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110144312/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11139463 | archive-date=10 November 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2010 [[easyJet]] commenced flights to [[London Luton Airport|London Luton]], though the airline moved the route back to [[Belfast International Airport|Belfast International]] in 2011.

[[Manx2]] moved its Isle of Man service to the airport in 2010, however the airline has since ceased operations.

In January 2011 [[Bmibaby]] moved its Belfast base to the airport, in order to keep its operation under one roof with sister airline [[British Midland International|BMI]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13062882 |title=Bmibaby reveals seven new Belfast City Airport routes |work=BBC News |date=13 April 2011 |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202033715/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13062882 |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The airline ceased operations from Belfast City Airport in June 2012.

In October 2012 Aer Lingus moved its services from Belfast International to the airport. The airline launched flights to five destinations, though it has since reduced their operations to just one route.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18899093 |title=Aer Lingus confirms George Best Belfast City Airport switch |work=BBC News |date=19 July 2012 |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129004526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18899093 |archive-date=29 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Spanish carrier [[Vueling]] launched summer-seasonal flights to [[Barcelona El Prat Airport|Barcelona]] in May 2015, though the route was cancelled in late 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/travel/vueling-airlines-launches-belfast-to-spain-flights-31203574.html |title=Vueling Airlines launches Belfast to Spain flights |newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202070440/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/travel/vueling-airlines-launches-belfast-to-spain-flights-31203574.html |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dutch carrier [[KLM]] launched daily flights to [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]] in 2015, with flights operated by [[KLM Cityhopper]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30699130 |title=George Best Belfast City Airport: KLM to establish Amsterdam service |work=BBC News |date=6 January 2015 |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202025317/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30699130 |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Brussels Airlines]] launched flights to [[Brussels National Airport|Brussels]] in 2016, though the airline axed the route in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38812700 |title=Belfast City Airport: Brussels Airlines ends service |work=BBC News |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202030530/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38812700 |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 2017, [[Eastern Airways]] commenced flights to the Isle of Man following the demise of [[Citywing]], though the airline axed the route in 2018. Icelandic carrier [[Air Iceland Connect]] commenced flights to [[Keflavik International Airport|Keflavik]] in 2017 on behalf of [[Icelandair]], though the route was cancelled in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/icelandair-suspends-belfast-flights-for-commercial-reasons-36612138.html |title=Icelandair suspends Belfast flights for 'commercial reasons' |newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202070522/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/icelandair-suspends-belfast-flights-for-commercial-reasons-36612138.html |archive-date=2 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Scottish airline [[Loganair]] commenced operations to [[Carlisle Lake District Airport|Carlisle]] in 2019, followed by [[Dundee Airport|Dundee]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-47438607 |title=Passenger flights return to Carlisle airport after 25 years |work=BBC News |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=4 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306051505/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-47438607 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020 to present===
Flybe, which operated 80% of flights at the airport, and carried over 1.6 million passengers across 14 routes, ceased operations in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=[[BBC News Online]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51746564|title=Collapsed Flybe: 'Do not travel to the airport'|date=5 March 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, [[Loganair]] commenced flights to [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]], [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]], and [[Inverness Airport|Inverness]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51749152|title=Scottish airline Loganair takes two Flybe routes|work=BBC News|date=5 March 2020}}</ref> while [[Eastern Airways]] commenced flights to [[Cardiff Airport|Cardiff]] and [[Southampton Airport|Southampton]]. In addition, [[British Airways]] subsidiary [[BA CityFlyer]] commenced flights to [[London City Airport|London City]] during 2020.<ref name="BA LCY">{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/07/03/british-airways-to-launch-london-city-belfast-city-route/|title=British Airways to launch London City-Belfast City route|website=Business Traveller |date=3 July 2020 }}</ref>

In August 2020, [[Aer Lingus]] subsidiary [[Aer Lingus Regional]] established a new base at the airport, operating five aircraft to six UK destinations. In June 2021, Aer Lingus Regional operator [[Stobart Air]] ceased operations,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57451845|title=Aer Lingus stops most Belfast City Airport flights after Stobart Air collapse|work=BBC News|date=12 June 2021}}</ref> leading to the cancellation of all Aer Lingus Regional flights. Aer Lingus and British Airways commenced flights to the majority of Aer Lingus Regional's destinations from Belfast City Airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfastcityairport.com/news/new-british-airways-services-take-off-from-belfast|title = George Best Belfast City Airport}}</ref>

Ryanair resumed flying from the airport after a hiatus of around 11 years, on 1 June 2021,<ref name="FR_resumes_BelfCity_1Jun21">{{cite news |last1=Davenport |first1=Fionn |title=Ryanair to Serve Europe from Belfast City Airport |url=https://ittn.ie/ireland/news/ryanair-to-serve-europe-from-belfast-city-airport/ |access-date=25 August 2021 |work=ITTN Ireland |date=1 June 2021}}</ref> but announced in late August 2021 that it would withdraw from Northern Ireland altogether in September 2021, in protest at the UK's Air Passenger Duty, and the lack of post-Covid incentives for airlines.<ref name="BT_FR_exitsNI_24Aug21">{{cite news |last1=Canning |first1=Margaret |title=Ryanair pulls out of Northern Ireland as it ends flights from Belfast airports |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/ryanair-pulls-out-of-northern-ireland-as-it-ends-flights-from-belfast-airports-40782457.html |access-date=25 August 2021 |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=24 August 2021}}</ref>

In March 2022, [[Emerald Airlines]],<ref>[https://www.emeraldairlines.com/article/on-sale-now-belfast-and-beyond-from-36-99-each-way---aer-lingus-regional-services-from-belfast-city-airport-to-6-cities-in-great-britain Aer Lingus Regional Services from Belfast City Airport to 6 cities in Great Britain], Emerald Airlines.</ref> the new operator of Aer Lingus Regional flights, announced that they would be opening a base at the airport. Initially with a base of three ATR-72-600 aircraft, Emerald plan on serving six UK destinations from 24 March 2022 under the [[Aer Lingus]] brand,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/business/2022/03/05/news/aer-lingus-regional-operation-to-relaunch-at-belfast-city-airport-in-three-weeks-2606401/|title = Aer Lingus Regional operation to relaunch at Belfast City Airport in three weeks|date = 5 March 2022}}</ref> with Aer Lingus itself operating the London Heathrow route.

On 16 March 2022, the new Flybe announced that the airport would become their second operating base following their spring relaunch, with flights going on sale the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://p1ainaz1aukwstore.z35.web.core.windows.net/Flybe_to_go_on_Sale_Tuesday_March_22nd_Airline_selects_Belfast_City_Airport_as_its_Second_Base.pdf|title=Flybe to go on Sale Tuesday, March 22nd; Airline selects Belfast City Airport as its Second Base|date=16 March 2022|website=[[Flybe (2022-2023)|Flybe]]|access-date=17 March 2022|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409194454/https://p1ainaz1aukwstore.z35.web.core.windows.net/Flybe_to_go_on_Sale_Tuesday_March_22nd_Airline_selects_Belfast_City_Airport_as_its_Second_Base.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The base was closed in January 2023 when Flybe 2.0 went into administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64436500|title=Flybe: Regional carrier ceases trading and cancels all flights|date=28 January 2023|website=BBC}}</ref>

In October 2022, it was announced that Aer Lingus operations between Belfast City and [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] would transfer to Aer Lingus UK due to Brexit related requirements that a European carrier could no longer fly domestic routes within the [[United Kingdom]]. These flights are operated by [[British Airways]] under [[wet-lease]] terms using the Aer Lingus UK flight numbers and callsigns. This currently does not affect the operations carried out by [[Emerald Airlines]] from Belfast City as an agreement is currently in place between the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK CAA]], British Airways and themselves prior to Emerald Airlines securing a UK AOC.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Aer Lingus leasing in BA capacity for UK domestic route |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/120926-aer-lingus-leasing-in-ba-capacity-for-uk-domestic-route |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=ch-aviation |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Flightradar24 |title=Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ei936 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=Flightradar24 |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2024, the airport launched an advertising campaign, new website, and logo featuring the name 'Belfast City Airport,' omitting 'George Best' from its branding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beech |first=Adam |date=5 Jul 2024 |title=Belfast City Airport unveils new marketing campaign |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/belfast-city-airport-unveils-new-marketing-campaign |website=Insider Media}}</ref> The airport later clarified that while the campaign excluded his name, the signage above the door remained unchanged, and its official business name and airport registration would continue as 'George Best Belfast City Airport'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-24 |title=George Best's name dropped from Belfast City Airport's latest campaign |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/george-bests-name-dropped-from-belfast-city-airports-latest-campaign/a1029529837.html |access-date=2024-11-06 |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

==Expansion plans and objections==
[[File:Belfast City Airport.jpg|thumb|Control tower at Belfast City]]
As the airport is adjacent to residential areas, the issue of [[noise pollution]] is a major source of public debate. The airport has developed a noise management strategy following the making of a planning agreement, under which the airport operates, and has established operational [[Noise mitigation|noise abatement]] procedures.

The airport applied for a complete removal of the limit on the seats it could sell in 2013<ref name=PA>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcaagreementeippanel.com/|title=Examination in Public – Belfast City Airport Planning Agreement|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522212159/http://bcaagreementeippanel.com/|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> – a key element of the 1997 planning agreement, which was designed to guard against over-expansion. As a result, numerous residents' groups formed a coalition – The Coalition Against Belfast City Airport Expansion<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/G1819 Belfast City Airport Watch] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120730072337/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/G1819 |date=30 July 2012 }}. Bbc.co.uk.</ref> – to protest against the airport's proposed expansion plans, and to represent the views of residents at the Examination in Public held during 2006.<ref name=PA/>

Restrictions applied to the airport include:
* The requirement for flights to be scheduled between 6:30&nbsp;am and 9:30&nbsp;pm. The exception to this is for delayed flights where extensions until 11&nbsp;pm may be granted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.belfastcityairport.com/FAQs#:~:text=Aircraft%20are%20permitted%20to%20operate%20between%2006.30%20and%2021.30%20each%20day.%20Exceptions%20are%20made%20up%20until%2023.00%20in%20the%20case%20of%20delays. |website=George Best Belfast City Airport |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>
* That there would be a limit of 45,000 commercial (and unlimited [[general aviation]]) aircraft movements in any year, restricted further in 2008 to 48,000 combined commercial and general aviation aircraft movements.<ref name="curbs to be relaxed">{{cite web |url=http://www.uk-airport-news.info/belfast-airport-news-020908a.htm |title=Belfast City Airport curbs to be relaxed |date=2 September 2008 |access-date=8 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507172250/http://www.uk-airport-news.info/belfast-airport-news-020908a.htm |archive-date=7 May 2012 }}</ref>
* That airlines must not offer more than 4 million seats for sale on flights from the airport per year.<ref name="curbs to be relaxed"/>
* The majority of flights must approach and depart the airport over [[Belfast Lough]] (currently 52% as of April 2017),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://belfastcityairport.com/Airport-Information/Statistics.aspx |title=Belfast City Airport - Statistics |access-date=8 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215194608/http://belfastcityairport.com/Airport-Information/Statistics.aspx |archive-date=15 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> rather than over the city of Belfast.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
* Any flight departing over the lough must turn left to head north (further from land) at 500 feet. Only after reaching 2,000 feet (for turboprops) or 3,000 feet (for jet aircraft) may they then turn south to move over land again.
* Any flight departing over the city must fly in a straight line until 2,000 feet (for [[turboprops|turboprop aircraft]]) or 3,000 feet (for jet aircraft) before being allowed to turn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://belfastcityairport.com/About-Us/Environment/Noise-Management.aspx%7B%7Bdead+link%7Cdate=November+2017+%7Cbot=InternetArchiveBot+%7Cfix-attempted=yes+%7D%7D|title=Belfast City Airport - George Best Belfast City Airport|website=belfastcityairport.com|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729095714/http://belfastcityairport.com/About-Us/Environment/Noise-Management.aspx%7B%7Bdead+link%7Cdate=November+2017+%7Cbot=InternetArchiveBot+%7Cfix-attempted=yes+%7D%7D|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==
<!-- Please use independent sources. The airport and the airline itself are not independent sources. -->
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Belfast City Airport:<ref name="Airlines and Routes"/>

{{Airport-dest-list
<!-- -->
| [[Aer Lingus]]<ref name="aerlingus.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.aerlingus.com/html/en-GB/home.html|title = Aer Lingus}}</ref> | [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu">{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241031-einw24eu|title=Aer Lingus NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=31 October 2024|accessdate=14 March 2025|language=en}}</ref> [[Cardiff Airport|Cardiff]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[East Midlands Airport|East Midlands]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Exeter Airport|Exeter]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds/Bradford]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]],<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> [[Southampton Airport|Southampton]]<ref name="aeroroutes_241031-einw24eu"/> <br /> Seasonal: [[Newquay Airport|Newquay]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://businesscornwall.co.uk/news-by-industry/tourism-sector-business-news-cornwall/2025/02/belfast-route-returns/ | title=Belfast route returns &#124; Business Cornwall | date=25 February 2025 }}</ref><br /> Seasonal charter: [[Verona Villafranca Airport|Verona]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroportoverona.it/en/flights/seasonal-schedule/fdest-BFS/ftype-D/ftframe-alldaylong/page-1.html | title=Seasonal schedule &#124; Verona Airport | access-date=13 February 2023 | archive-date=13 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213223824/https://www.aeroportoverona.it/en/flights/seasonal-schedule/fdest-BFS/ftype-D/ftframe-alldaylong/page-1.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<!-- -->
| {{nowrap|[[British Airways]]<ref name="britishairways.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb|title = British Airways}}</ref>}} | [[London City Airport|London–City]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221226-cjns23|title=BA CityFlyer NS23 Network Adjustment – 25DEC22|website=Aeroroutes.com|publisher=Aeroroutes|accessdate=1 November 2024}}</ref> [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241031-banw24lhreu|title=British Airways NW24 Heathrow – Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24|website=Aeroroutes|accessdate=31 October 2024}}</ref> <br /> Seasonal charter: [[Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport|Bologna]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfastcityairport.com/news/Royal-Caribbean-Belfast-to-Bologna|title=Royal Caribbean brings back direct flights from Belfast to Explorer of the Seas|website=Belfast City Airport|date=1 September 2022}}</ref> [[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma de Mallorca]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/tui-to-run-charter-flights-from-belfast-to-majorca-37598 | title=Tui to run charter flights from Belfast to Majorca }}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[EasyJet]]<ref name="easyjet.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.easyjet.com/en|title = easyJet}}</ref> | [[Bristol Airport|Bristol]],<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Belfast, UK|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=[[OAG (company)|OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited]]|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=118–119}}</ref> [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]],<ref>{{cite web | title=EasyJet to fly from Edinburgh to stunning Spanish city for the first time | date=17 June 2025 | url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/easyjet-announces-new-flights-between-edinburgh-and-barcelona-alongside-several-new-routes-from-scotland-5181342 }}</ref> [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220912-u2nw22|title=easyJet NW22 Network Additions Summary – 11SEP22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=12 September 2022|accessdate=1 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport|Liverpool]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220425-u2ns22|title=easyJet NS22 Network Addition Update - 24APR22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=25 April 2022|accessdate=8 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> [[Gatwick Airport|London–Gatwick]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220711-u2aug22lgwman|title=easyJet London Gatwick / Manchester Aug 2022 Operation Update - 10JUL22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=11 July 2022|accessdate=7 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> [[Luton Airport|London–Luton]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-u2ns23|title=easyJet NS23 Network Changes – 30MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=1 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]]<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240119-u2jul24gb|title=easyJet July/August 2024 UK Frequency Variations – 14JAN24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=19 January 2024|accessdate=1 April 2025|language=en}}</ref> <br /> Seasonal: [[Palma de Mallorca Airport|Palma de Mallorca]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishnews.com/business/2023/11/29/news/easyjet_set_to_launch_flights_to_palma_de_mallorca_from_belfast_city_airport-3806375/ | title=EasyJet set to launch flights to Palma de Mallorca from Belfast City Airport | date=28 November 2023 }}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[KLM]] | [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/221024-klnov22eu|title=KLM Nov/Dec 2022 European Frequency Variations – 23OCT22|website=Aeroroutes}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| [[Loganair]]<ref name="loganair.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.loganair.co.uk|title = Loganair}}</ref> | [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]],<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Aberdeen|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=10–12}}</ref> [[Inverness Airport|Inverness]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240227-lmns24|title=Loganair NS24 Service Changes – 25FEB24|website=Aeroroutes.com|accessdate=2 November 2024|language=en-CA}}</ref> [[Kirkwall Airport|Kirkwall]],{{efn|Kirkwall service is a continuation of the Inverness service as the same flight number}}<ref name="orcadian.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://orcadian.co.uk/belfast-and-manchester-added-to-kirkwalls-flight-schedule/|title=Belfast and Manchester added to Kirkwall's flight schedule|date=19 September 2024 }}</ref> [[Sumburgh Airport|Sumburgh]]{{efn|Sumburgh service is a continuation of the Inverness service as the same flight number}}<ref name="shetlandtimes.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2024/09/18/new-summer-services-to-belfast-and-manchester|title=New summer services to Belfast and Manchester|date=18 September 2024 }}</ref>
<!-- --> 
}}

==Statistics==

===Traffic figures===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
! Year| !! Number of passengers<ref name=autogenerated1>Number of Passengers, Freight and Mail include both domestic and international counterparts.</ref> !!  Number of movements<ref>Number of Movements represents total air transport takeoffs and landings during that year.</ref> !!  Freight <br /> (tonnes)<ref name="stats"/>
|-
!1997
|1,285,712 || 37,592 || 1,247
|-
!1998
|1,316,792 || 37,917 || 1,149
|-
!1999
|1,284,148 || 35,781 || 773
|-
!2000
|1,288,428 || 36,773 || 820
|-
!2001
|1,192,897 || 35,158 || 509
|-
!2002
|1,896,081 || 40,027 || 1,058
|-
!2003
|1,975,202 || 34,523 || 1,177
|-
!2004
|2,091,221 || 36,290 || 955
|-
!2005
|2,237,219 || 40,443 || 516
|-
!2006
|2,105,769 || 39,411 || 827
|-
!2007
|2,186,993 || 43,022 || 1,057
|-
!2008
|2,570,742 || 42,990 || 168
|-
!2009
|2,621,763 || 39,330 || 138
|-
!2010
|2,740,341 || 40,324 || 155
|-
!2011
|2,397,312 || 41,844 || 457
|-
!2012
|2,246,202 || 37,189 || 581
|-
!2013
|2,541,759 || 38,051 || 527
|-
!2014
|2,555,145 || 37,112 || 491
|-
!2015
|2,692,713|| 41,782 || 551
|-
!2016
|2,665,139|| 42,475 || 476
|-
!2017
|2,559,846|| 36,332 || 317
|-
!2018
|2,510,294|| 35,959 || 227
|-
!2019
|2,445,529|| 34,625 || 196
|-
!2020
|542,547|| 10,359 || 49
|-
!2021
|812,424|| 12,819 || 29
|-
!2022
|1,655,164|| 25,308 || 35
|-
!2023
|2,115,153|| 29,282 || 17
|-
!2024
|2,391,124||  || 
|}

===Busiest routes===

{|class="wikitable sortable" 
|+ 10 busiest routes to and from Belfast City (2024)<ref name="routestats">{{cite web |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airports/uk-airport-data/uk-airport-data-2024/ |title=Airport Data 2024 |date=26 March 2025 |publisher=UK Civil Aviation Authority |at=Tables 12.1(XLS) and 12.2 (XLS) |access-date=24 April 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Rank || Airport || Total <br />passengers || Change<br />2023 / 24
!Airline(s)
|-
|1|| [[Heathrow Airport|London–Heathrow]] ||align='right'| 585,479|| {{increase}} 3.8%
|British Airways
|-
|2|| [[Gatwick Airport|London–Gatwick]] ||align='right'| 277,800||{{increase}} 18.0%
|easyJet
|-
|3|| [[Manchester Airport|Manchester]] ||align='right'| 223,515||{{increase}} 30.3%
|Aer Lingus, easyJet
|-
|4|| [[Birmingham Airport|Birmingham]] ||align='right'| 186,834||{{increase}} 27.9%
|Aer Lingus
|-
|5||  [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]] ||align='right'| 130,129||{{increase}} 11.2%
|Aer Lingus
|-
|6|| [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds Bradford]] ||align='right'| 126,242||{{increase}} 11.3%
|Aer Lingus
|-
|7||  [[London City Airport|London–City]] ||align='right'| 122,445||{{decrease}} 7.3%
|British Airways
|-
|8||  [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport|Liverpool]] ||align='right'| 119,275||{{increase}} 3.4%
|easyJet
|-
|9||  [[Glasgow Airport|Glasgow]] ||align='right'| 112,296||{{increase}} 8.9%
|Aer Lingus, easyJet
|-
|10||  [[Southampton Airport|Southampton]] ||align='right'| 93,653||{{increase}} 17.3%
|Aer Lingus
|}

==Ground transport==
[[File:Sydenham railway station, Northern Ireland in 2007.jpg|thumb|Regular train services operate into central Belfast.]]
[[File:600a_Belfast_City_Airport.jpg|thumb|The 600a service from Europa Buscentre to the airport.]]
===Rail===
[[Sydenham railway station, Northern Ireland|Sydenham railway station]] is adjacent to the southern perimeter of the airport, across the A2 from the old passenger terminal. It is served by frequent [[Northern Ireland Railways]] trains between [[Bangor railway station, Northern Ireland|Bangor]] and [[Portadown railway station|Portadown]]. Trains towards Portadown call at the [[Lanyon Place railway station|Belfast Lanyon Place]] and [[Belfast Grand Central station|Belfast Grand Central]] stations. With the construction of the new passenger terminal further northeast, passengers arriving or departing by train can request an airport courtesy bus to take them to or from the terminal.

===Car===
The airport is located on the [[A2 road (Northern Ireland)|A2]], Sydenham by-pass road between [[Belfast]] and [[Holywood, County Down|Holywood]].

===Bus===
Translink Metro route 600 is the Belfast City Airlink service, from the terminal to the Belfast [[Belfast Grand Central station|Grand Central]] . Buses run every thirty minutes throughout the day. In addition [[Metro (Belfast)|Metro]] bus 3A operates every ten minutes from [[Sydenham, County Down|Sydenham]] to [[Belfast City Hall]]. As of 2014, [[The Airporter]] service operated 12 coach services to the airport on weekdays, five coaches on Saturdays and eight coaches on Sundays to [[Derry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airporter.co.uk/derry-to-belfast-timetable-winter-2013.html |title=Airporter Winter Timetable - Valid from 26th October 2014 |work=Airporter |access-date=4 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928015322/http://www.airporter.co.uk/derry-to-belfast-timetable-winter-2013.html |archive-date=28 September 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Portalbar|Ireland|Northern Ireland|United Kingdom|Aviation}}
{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}
{{Airports of Ireland}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:1937 establishments in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1937]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Belfast]]
[[Category:Transport in Belfast]]
[[Category:George Best]]