Belfast City Airport opens consultation on its draft 2040 master plan

Belfast City Airport has unveiled its draft Master Plan 2040, which it claims has the potential to unlock up to £200m in private investment, support thousands of new jobs and deliver a £1.7bn injection into the Northern Ireland economy annually.

The vision includes extended terminal and airfield facilities, surface access improvements and complementary development, which could include a hotel and increased EV charging facilities. The airport does not anticipate needing to extend the runway.

Plans also include a potential new railway station which, the airport claims, would technically make it the first airport on the island of Ireland to be connected directly by rail. Although the Bangor to Belfast line runs alongside the airport, the nearest rail station is currently a 15-minute walk along the Sydenham bypass.

Analysts predict demand for air travel across the island of Ireland will double to 90m passengers per year by 2040 with a three-fold increase in passenger number to 7m at Belfast City Airport.

The draft plan would double the airport’s workforce to over 2,200 and facilitate growth of its apprenticeship academy and award-winning community engagement programme. It would also accelerate key sustainability ambitions, including the airport’s journey to net zero.

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.

“The economic benefits from delivery of our master plan will be significant. By 2040, we could generate £1.7billion in GVA for Northern Ireland and support over 23,000 jobs across the region, including over 1,100 new roles at the airport campus.

“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.

“We’ve recently entered a pioneering public-private partnership with Translink to conclude a feasibility study for a new rail halt linking the airport with Belfast city centre on the Bangor line. We look forward to further exploring this initiative.”

At the heart of the draft plan is a commitment to protect the local community by accommodating all growth within the airport’s current noise contour limit.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said, “Belfast City Airport is more than just a gateway it is a major part of our economy. It supports hundreds of jobs, boosts local businesses and helps drive tourism. This master plan shows great ambition and a really bold vision for the future.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said, “Growing a globally and sustainable economy is a priority for us and this plan aligns seamlessly with this as it will drive connectivity and support future economic growth. It will also strengthen our tourism sector, support employment and reinforce Northern Ireland’s position as a great place to work, live, visit and invest in.”

To deliver the benefits of growth to 7 million passengers a year by 2040, the airport is also seeking views on moving the annual cap on aircraft movements from 48,000 to 61,000.

Clare Guinness, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber said, “Connectivity is critical to Belfast’s economic success, and the airport is a strategic economic asset that our members and wider society rely on as a lifeline for commerce and business. Belfast is a city on the rise and that requires the City airport to be ready to help us unlock our future potential in the next decade and beyond.”

Matthew Hall concluded, “If Belfast City is not able to meet growth in passenger demand, there will be constraints on Northern Ireland’s air connectivity which would frustrate ambitions to improve economic productivity, increase foreign direct investment, grow tourism and create more jobs through activity at the airport.”

The draft Master Plan 2040 is open for public consultation until 11 November 2025. The full document can be viewed at belfastcityairport.com/vision.