George Best Belfast City Airport

Not to be confused with Belfast International Airport.

George Best Belfast City Airport
IATA: BHD ICAO: EGAC
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	3i
Operator	Belfast City Airport Ltd.
Serves	Belfast and surrounding cities
Location	County Down
Opened	16 March 1938 (86 years ago) (1938-03-16)
Hub for	Aer Lingus
Elevation AMSL	15 ft / 5 m
Coordinates	54°37′05″N 05°52′21″W
Website	www.belfastcityairport.com
Map
EGAC Location in Greater Belfast Show map of Greater Belfast EGAC Location in Northern Ireland Show map of Northern Ireland EGAC Location on the island of Ireland Show map of island of Ireland EGAC Location in the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 04/22 1,829 6,001 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers 2,115,153 Passenger change 22-23 27.8% Aircraft movements 29,282 Movements change 22-23 15.7%
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1] Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[2]

Belfast City Airport, officially George Best Belfast City Airport (IATA: BHD, ICAO: EGAC), is a single-runway airport in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated in County Down, it is adjacent to the Belfast Harbour^[1] and is 3 miles (4.8 km) from Belfast City Centre. It shares the site with the Spirit AeroSystems (formerly Short Brothers/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 footballer from Belfast.^[3] The airport has a CAA public use aerodrome licence (number P862) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.

As of February 2024, 6 airlines operate 30 routes across the UK and Europe from Belfast City Airport.^[4] In 2023, the airport handled over 2.1 million passengers, having peaked at 2.7 million in 2010.^[2] 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^[5] and Menzies Aviation,^[6] the latter also offering cargo handling services.

History

Early years

Sydenham Airport was established by Shorts beside its Belfast factory at 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.^[7] This became Belfast's main civilian airport from 1938 to 1939. The airfield was requisitioned by the RAF as RAF Belfast in 1941, then transferred to the Royal Navy, becoming HMS Gadwall (also known as RNAS Belfast or RNAS Sydenham) in 1943.^[8] RAF Nutts Corner then became Belfast's main airport (while Aldergrove would later become the primary airport in Northern Ireland).

In 1952, the runway was extended to its present 6,000 feet (1,800 m).^[7] The airfield at Sydenham continued to be used for military purposes until the 1970s (reverting to RAF Belfast in 1973 and closing in 1978),^[9] 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.^[10][11] 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.^[12]

Development from 2000 to 2019

A new terminal was officially opened on 3 June 2001.^[7] Following major capital investment Bombardier sold the airport in 2003 for £35 million to the Spanish company Ferrovial,^[13] the owner of BAA Airports. Ferrovial re-sold the airport in September 2008 for £132.5 million to ABN Amro Global Infrastructure Fund.^[14]

In March 2006, it was announced that the airport would be renamed in memory of Northern Irish 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.^[3] The renaming of the airport caused controversy, with many articles in local and national print media highlighting the mixed feelings of Belfast residents.^[15] Also in March 2006 Flybe announced that it would be naming its Belfast City – 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.^[16]

In January 2010 easyJet commenced flights to London Luton, though the airline moved the route back to 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 BMI.^[17] 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.^[18] Spanish carrier Vueling launched summer-seasonal flights to Barcelona in May 2015, though the route was cancelled in late 2015.^[19] Dutch carrier KLM launched daily flights to Amsterdam in 2015, with flights operated by KLM Cityhopper.^[20] Brussels Airlines launched flights to Brussels in 2016, though the airline axed the route in 2017.^[21] 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 in 2017 on behalf of Icelandair, though the route was cancelled in 2018.^[22] Scottish airline Loganair commenced operations to Carlisle in 2019, followed by Dundee in 2020.^[23]

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.^[24] Subsequently, Loganair commenced flights to Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Inverness,^[25] while Eastern Airways commenced flights to Cardiff and Southampton. In addition, British Airways subsidiary BA CityFlyer commenced flights to London City during 2020.^[26]

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,^[27] 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.^[28]

Ryanair resumed flying from the airport after a hiatus of around 11 years, on 1 June 2021,^[29] 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. ^[30]

In March 2022, Emerald Airlines,^[31] 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,^[32] with Aer Lingus itself operating the London Heathrow route.

On the 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.^[33] The base was closed in January 2023 when Flybe 2.0 went into administration.^[34]

In October 2022, it was announced that Aer Lingus operations between Belfast City and 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 UK CAA, British Airways and themselves prior to Emerald Airlines securing a UK AOC.^[35][36]

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.^[37] 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'.^[38]

Expansion plans and objections

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 abatement procedures.

The airport applied for a complete removal of the limit on the seats it could sell in 2013^[39] – 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^[40] – to protest against the airport's proposed expansion plans, and to represent the views of residents at the Examination in Public held during 2006.^[39]

Restrictions applied to the airport include:

• The requirement for flights to be scheduled between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm. The exception to this is for delayed flights where extensions until 11 pm may be granted. ^[41]
• 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.^[42]
• That airlines must not offer more than 4 million seats for sale on flights from the airport per year.^[42]
• The majority of flights must approach and depart the airport over Belfast Lough (currently 52% as of April 2017),^[43] rather than over the city of Belfast.^{[citation needed]}
• 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 turboprop aircraft) or 3,000 feet (for jet aircraft) before being allowed to turn.^[44]

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Belfast City Airport:^[4]

Airlines	Destinations
Aer Lingus[45]	Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Southampton Seasonal charter: Verona[46]
British Airways[47]	London–City,[48] London–Heathrow[49] Seasonal charter: Bologna,[50] Palma de Mallorca[51]
easyJet[52]	Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, London–Gatwick, London–Luton, Manchester Seasonal: Alicante,[53] Palma de Mallorca[54]
KLM	Amsterdam[55]
Loganair[56]	Aberdeen, Inverness,[57] Kirkwall,[a][58] Sumburgh[b][59]

Statistics

Traffic figures

Annual passenger traffic at BHD airport. See Wikidata query.

	Number of passengers[60]	Number of movements[61]	Freight (tonnes)[2]
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

Busiest routes

10 busiest routes to and from Belfast City (2023)^[62]

Rank	Airport	Total passengers	Change 2022 / 23	Airline(s)
1	London–Heathrow	564,018	5.8%	British Airways
2	London-Gatwick	235,493	42.4%	easyJet
3	Manchester	171,514	54.8%	Aer Lingus, easyJet
4	Birmingham	146,122	3.9%	Aer Lingus
5	London–City	132,133	8.7%	British Airways
6	Edinburgh	116,994	38.8%	Aer Lingus
7	Liverpool	115,405	174.4%	easyJet
8	Leeds Bradford	113,405	19.4%	Aer Lingus
9	Glasgow	103,076	61.4%	Aer Lingus, easyJet
10	Southampton	79,810	31.7%	Aer Lingus

Ground transport

Regular train services operate into central Belfast.

The 600a service from Europa Buscentre to the airport.

Rail

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 and Portadown. Trains towards Portadown call at the Belfast Lanyon Place and 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, Sydenham by-pass road between Belfast and Holywood.

Bus

Translink Metro route 600 is the Belfast City Airlink service, from the terminal to the Belfast Grand Central . Buses run every thirty minutes throughout the day. In addition Metro bus 3A operates every ten minutes from 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.^[63]

Notes

1. Kirkwall service is a continuation of the Inverness service as the same flight number
2. Sumburgh service is a continuation of the Inverness service as the same flight number

References

1. Belfast/City – EGAC ^{[dead link‍]}. Nats-uk.ead-it.com.
2. "Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports". UK Civil Aviation Authority. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
3. "Best family proud of airport name". BBC News. 22 May 2006. Archived from the original on 29 April 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
4. "Airlines and Routes". Retrieved 6 June 2021.
5. "Swissport International Ltd. - Network". Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
6. "Menzies Aviation - Network". Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
7. "Belfast City Airport - History | About Us | Belfast City Airport". www.belfastcityairport.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
8. "Royal Navy in World War II". History Hub Ulster. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
9. "RN Air Station Belfast - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives". www.forces-war-records.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
10. Owen, Sir David John (23 May 1948). "The Origin and Development of the Ports of the United Kingdom". Allman – via Google Books.
11. Heck, André (23 May 1992). StarBriefs: A Dictionary of Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols in Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Related Fields : March 1992. Observatoire Astronomique. ISBN 9782908064179 – via Google Books.
12. "Belfast City bounces back". www.key.aero. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
13. Spanish firm secures Northern Ireland Airport Archived 3 July 2004 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News (23 May 2003).
14. "Belfast City Airport - News | Recent Stories | Belfast City Airport". www.belfastcityairport.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2009.
15. 'George Best Airport' splits city Archived 18 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Thescotsman.scotsman.com (22 March 2006).
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17. "Bmibaby reveals seven new Belfast City Airport routes". BBC News. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
18. "Aer Lingus confirms George Best Belfast City Airport switch". BBC News. 19 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
19. "Vueling Airlines launches Belfast to Spain flights". Belfasttelegraph. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
20. "George Best Belfast City Airport: KLM to establish Amsterdam service". BBC News. 6 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
21. "Belfast City Airport: Brussels Airlines ends service". BBC News. 31 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
22. "Icelandair suspends Belfast flights for 'commercial reasons'". Belfasttelegraph. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
23. "Passenger flights return to Carlisle airport after 25 years". BBC News. 4 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
24. "Collapsed Flybe: 'Do not travel to the airport'". BBC News Online. 5 March 2020.
25. "Scottish airline Loganair takes two Flybe routes". BBC News. 5 March 2020.
26. "British Airways to launch London City-Belfast City route". Business Traveller.
27. "Aer Lingus stops most Belfast City Airport flights after Stobart Air collapse". BBC News. 12 June 2021.
28. "George Best Belfast City Airport".
29. Davenport, Fionn (1 June 2021). "Ryanair to Serve Europe from Belfast City Airport". ITTN Ireland. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
30. Canning, Margaret (24 August 2021). "Ryanair pulls out of Northern Ireland as it ends flights from Belfast airports". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
31. Aer Lingus Regional Services from Belfast City Airport to 6 cities in Great Britain, Emerald Airlines.
32. "Aer Lingus Regional operation to relaunch at Belfast City Airport in three weeks". 5 March 2022.
33. "Flybe to go on Sale Tuesday, March 22nd; Airline selects Belfast City Airport as its Second Base" (PDF). Flybe. 16 March 2022.
34. "Flybe: Regional carrier ceases trading and cancels all flights". BBC. 28 January 2023.
35. "Aer Lingus leasing in BA capacity for UK domestic route". ch-aviation. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
36. Flightradar24. "Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map". Flightradar24. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
37. Beech, Adam (5 July 2024). "Belfast City Airport unveils new marketing campaign". Insider Media.
38. "George Best's name dropped from Belfast City Airport's latest campaign". 24 August 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
39. "Examination in Public – Belfast City Airport Planning Agreement". Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
40. Belfast City Airport Watch Archived 30 July 2012 at archive.today. Bbc.co.uk.
41. "Frequently Asked Questions". George Best Belfast City Airport. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
42. "Belfast City Airport curbs to be relaxed". 2 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
43. "Belfast City Airport - Statistics". Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
44. "Belfast City Airport - George Best Belfast City Airport". belfastcityairport.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
45. "Aer Lingus".
46. "Seasonal schedule | Verona Airport".
47. "British Airways".
48. "BA CityFlyer NS23 Network Adjustment – 25DEC22". Aeroroutes.com. Aeroroutes. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
49. "British Airways NW24 Heathrow – Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24". Aeroroutes. Aeroroutes. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
50. "Royal Caribbean brings back direct flights from Belfast to Explorer of the Seas". Belfast City Airport. 1 September 2022.
51. "Tui to run charter flights from Belfast to Majorca".
52. "easyJet".
53. easyJet operará 11 nuevas rutas gracias a la apertura de la base de operaciones
54. "EasyJet set to launch flights to Palma de Mallorca from Belfast City Airport". 28 November 2023.
55. "KLM Nov/Dec 2022 European Frequency Variations – 23OCT22". Aeroroutes.
56. "Loganair".
57. Liu, Jim. "Loganair NS24 Service Changes – 25FEB24". Aeroroutes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
58. {{cite web|url=https://orcadian.co.uk/belfast-and-manchester-added-to-kirkwalls-flight-schedule/
59. https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2024/09/18/new-summer-services-to-belfast-and-manchester. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
60. Number of Passengers, Freight and Mail include both domestic and international counterparts.
61. Number of Movements represents total air transport takeoffs and landings during that year.
62. "Airport Data 2022". UK Civil Aviation Authority. 21 March 2023. Tables 12.1(XLS) and 12.2 (XLS). Retrieved 23 March 2023.
63. "Airporter Winter Timetable - Valid from 26th October 2014". Airporter. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2015.

External links

Media related to Belfast City Airport at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website