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Frequently Asked Questions

General Airport Information

Security

  • Can liquids be taken through security?
    Yes, liquids, creams, pastes, gels, and aerosols can be taken through security providing they are 2 litres or less.
     
    These items no longer need to be placed in a single transparent and sealable bag and passengers can keep them in their cabin baggage.

    Exceptions will be made for baby food or baby milk. This exception is only permitted if you are travelling with a baby or infant. Please carry only what you need for your journey and to assist security screening, please do not carry these items in a flask.
    .
    You are permitted to carry medication in liquid, gel or paste form, over 100ml for your journey as long as it is accompanied with a prescription letter or letter from a medical practitioner  

    Liquid baby food and liquid medicines will undergo checks before being permitted to be carried.

    Please note, for returning and connecting journeys, passengers are advised to check the advice of other airports where these measures may not yet have been implemented.
  • Can I take medication / syringes on board?
    Yes, medication and medical sharps can be taken onboard in hand luggage providing passengers can provide documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a medical practitioner.
  • Do I have to go through the body scanner?
    All passengers will be required to undertake a body scan.
     
    If you are unable to walk or go through the body scanner, please make the security staff aware who will discuss alternative means of screening.
     
     
     
     
  • How do the new body scanners work?
    The security scanner uses safe millimeter wave technology to identify anomalies on the body.
     
  • Is it safe to go through airport body scanners when pregnant?
    The Department for Transport considers that there are no known health effects from the scanners in use at Belfast City Airport. If a pregnant passenger feels uncomfortable proceeding through our body scanners, a private search can be requested as an alternative.
  • Is it safe to go through airport body scanners with a pacemaker?
    The Department for Transport considers that there are no known health effects from the scanners in use at Belfast City Airport.
  • Can knitting needles be taken through security?
    Yes, knitting needles can be taken through security and on board in hand luggage.
  • Can I take sports equipment onboard as hand luggage?
    Sporting items such as cues, racquets, bats and clubs will not be permitted as hand luggage. These oversized items and other bags over 56cm, x 45cm x 25cm will need to be processed separately and placed in the hold of the aircraft.
  • Can I buy a fast track security pass?
    Yes, fast track security passes are available to buy directly on our website: Book Fast Track Security
  • What changes will be introduced with the new security screening technology?
    The new security screening technology will enable passengers to keep liquids, gels, and pastes (up to 2 litres) and large electronic devices in their cabin baggage as they complete security checks at the airport.

    Please note, for returning and connecting journeys, passengers are advised to check the advice of other airports where these measures may not yet have been implemented.
  • Will I require a private search at security?
    Private searches can be requested by passengers as an alternative to airport body scanners. Private searches at Belfast City Airport take place in a designated room at the back of our central search area. Witnesses may accompany passengers and security personnel in the designated private search area.
     
    Should you have any further queries regarding security procedures at Belfast City Airport, visit our Security webpage.
  • Will you be able to recognise me from my image?
    No images are created or stored by the body scanner.
     
     

Flight Information

  • What time does check-in open at?
    Check-in will open 2 hours before your flight departure for most airlines at Belfast City Airport. Please check directly with your airline before travelling to the Airport.
  • What type of I.D. can I use?
    The most common forms of identification are passport, driving license and I.D. cards. However, please do check with your airline directly before travelling to the airport on what types of I.D. are acceptable. Failure to show a valid form of identification will mean you cannot fly.
  • What do I do if my flight is cancelled?
    If you are already through to the Departures Lounge at Belfast City Airport and you receive a flight cancellation notification, make your way down to arrivals and back through to the airline check-in desks. Airline handling agents will be on hand to reschedule your flight or provide alternative arrangements.

    If your flight is cancelled before arriving at Belfast City Airport, contact your airline directly via telephone, email or social media for further assistance.
  • What do I do if my luggage is lost / damaged?
    If your luggage is lost or missing when you arrive at Belfast City Airport, please contact your airline directly via telephone, email or social media for further assistance.

Facilities

Special Assistance

  • Does Belfast City Airport provide Special Assistance to passengers?
    Special Assistance can be booked with your airline, travel agent or tour operator up to 48 hours before your departure date. 
     
    Should you have any further queries on travelling with a disability or hidden disability at Belfast City Airport, visit our Special Assistance webpage.

    AccessAble and Belfast City Airport have worked in collaboration to create a detailed guide to assist you in getting around the airport. The app contains all of AccessAble’s guides for Belfast City Airport and is useful when moving around the airport on the go. Click here for more information.

Lost Property

  • I left an item at the airport – what do I do?
    If you leave an item behind during your journey through Belfast City Airport, you can log it with our team using the online form on our Contact Us webpage. We will respond to your query within 24 hours.

    If you leave an item onboard an aircraft on departure from Belfast City, contact the destination airport directly.

To / From Belfast City Airport

  • How far is Belfast City Airport from Belfast city centre?
    Belfast City Airport is just 5 minutes from Belfast city centre and has excellent transport links for passengers wishing to explore what the city has to offer.
  • Can I get a taxi at the airport?
    Yes, our official taxi partner Value Cabs has a taxi rank located at the front of the terminal building with cars on standby throughout the day.
  • Is public transport easily accessible to / from the airport?
    Belfast City Airport has excellent public transport links, including regular bus services to Europa bus centre, from which passengers can travel onwards to regions across Northern Ireland. Passengers can also travel to / from the airport via train, with Sydenham Rail Halt located next to the Airport.
  • Is there a courtesy bus to and from the terminal?
    A courtesy bus is available to transport passengers between the terminal and the rail halt free of charge and can be requested at the call point located in the taxi shelter at the front of the terminal or at the rail halt via a direct telephone line. Proof of train travel may be requested.

Media Enquiries

Car Park

  • Are Blue Badge Holders exempt from the £4 drop off and pick up charge?
    Blue Badge holders can avail of up to 2 hours free parking to drop off / pick up passengers in our Short Stay Car Park. Additional details can be found in our Blue Badge Parking section.
  • Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicle I can bring to the car park?
    Our car parks accommodate standard family cars, SUVs, small vans, and motorcycles. We do not accommodate large commercial vehicles, caravans, or vehicles with trailers attached.
  • Can I cancel or amend my car park booking?

    Customers with a Long Stay Flex, Short Stay or Premier car park booking can cancel or amend their booking free of charge. This can be done online up to your booked arrival time via 'manage my booking'.

    Unfortunately, it is not possible to amend or cancel a booking once you have entered the car park (e.g. extend your stay). We ask you to pay for any additional time at the ticket machines in the terminal or at the barriers upon leaving.
    Long Stay Non-Flex bookings cannot be amended or cancelled, as stated at the time of booking.
    Amendments to the dates of stay are subject to the terms and conditions of your booking. Please note if you booked during a sale or at a lower price and that rate is no longer available, the new rate will apply.

  • Can I enter the car park earlier than my selected car park entry time?
    Yes, customers can arrive up to 1 hour in advance of the selected entry time of their car park booking. The car park entry barrier will recognise your vehicle and provide access to the designated car park. 
  • Can I leave my bike in the Airport car parks?
    Yes. Bicycle bays, previously located in our Short Stay Car Park, are now available free of charge within our Premier Car Park – the closest car park to the terminal building.
  • Can I pre-book parking?
    Yes, pre-booking parking on our website guarantees the best rates for our Short Stay, Long Stay and Premier Car Parks.
  • Do I get a refund if I cancel my car park online booking?
    Yes, if you selected a flexible option when you made the reservation and you cancel the booking ahead of your booked arrival time your car parking fee will be refunded back to you in full to the payment method used to make the online booking.
  • Do you have disabled parking spaces?
    Yes, we have a number of designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders located in each of our car parks. We ask that a copy of your Blue Badge be left on display in your vehicle while you are parked.

    Blue Badge owners can also avail of up to 2 hours’ free parking to drop off/pick up passengers in our Short Stay Car Park. When they have finished at the airport, the driver needs to present the entry ticket and valid Blue Badge at the car park office located in the Express Pick-Up & Drop-Off Area.

    The entry ticket will then be validated for up to 2 hours. If your stay has been 2 hours, the validated ticket will work to exit. If the stay has been over 2 hours, the parking will be charged at the normal rate.
  • Do you offer any discounts for parking?
    To be kept up to date on any parking offers and discounts, please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media.
  • How close to my date/time of travel can I pre-book car parking online?
    The system will accept pre-bookings up to 1 hour prior to the expected time of arrival at the selected car park.
    All car park bookings are subject to availability and the airport reserves the right to withdraw availability at its discretion for any given date.
  • How do I know my car park booking has been confirmed?
    Once you have completed the booking process, you will receive a confirmation email with a reservation number. If you don't receive an email confirmation shortly after you complete the booking process, please get in touch with us online as soon as possible and a member of our customer service team will arrange for your confirmation to be resent.
  • How many car parks does Belfast City Airport have on-site?
    Belfast City Airport has 3 car parks for drivers to choose from – Short Stay, Long Stay, and Premier. This is in addition to the Express Drop Off and Pick Up area.
     
    Choose Short Stay parking
    Choose Long Stay parking
    Choose Premier parking
  • I have mobility issues - how do I book assistance from the car parks?

    Passengers with reduced mobility and/or hidden disabilities are entitled and encouraged to use the Special Assistance service at Belfast City Airport for getting to and from the terminal building.

    Passengers requiring assistance should book this with their airline, travel agent or tour operator at least 48 hours in advance. This information is then transmitted to both the departure and arrival airports.

    Drivers dropping off or picking up a person with a blue badge, or a person who has booked assistance, can continue to do so in the Short Stay Car Park. Upon meeting the passenger, a member of the Special Assistance team can validate the driver's ticket at the desk.

  • I have pre-booked parking, what do I do when I arrive?
    Our car parks operate with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for all pre-booked customers.

    On arrival and departure:
    • Follow the signage on site to the car park you have booked
    • Drive up to the barrier
    • The camera will read your vehicle registration
    • The barrier will lift
    • If the barrier does not lift, scan the QR code on the confirmation email (either printed or from a mobile device)
    • Assistance is available through the intercom if required
  • I haven’t pre-booked online, can I still use the car park facilities?
    Yes, both our Short Stay and Long Stay Car Parks allow passengers to drive up and enter on the day. The best rates for the Short Stay and Long Stay Car Parks are however available online. Our Premier Car Park is the only car park which requires passengers to book in advance of arrival.
  • If I park in a Blue Badge bay, can I leave a photocopy of the original badge?
    Yes, you can leave a photocopy of your original Blue Badge if you need to take it with you.
  • What are the charges for car parking if I do not pre-book?
    Drive up rates for our Short Stay and Long Stay Car Parks can be found on our website:
     
    Short Stay Car Park 
    Long Stay Car Park 
  • What if I return later than the date/time on the booking?
    You will be charged for the additional time in which you stay in the car park, based on the applicable overstay rate.
    Further details of our car park rates can be found on our website:

    Short Stay Car Park
    Long Stay Car Park
  • What if I’ve pre-booked and my licence plate has not been recognised at the entry/exit barrier?
    Should the car park barrier not recognise your license plate, please scan the QR code on the confirmation email (either paper on mobile device).

    Please have a (printed or digital) copy of your confirmation email ready to hand before arrival at the airport and before exit from the car park. If your licence plate is not recognised, please scan the QR code found on your confirmation email. If that doesn’t raise the barrier, please press the intercom to speak with a member of the team. Do not press for a ticket.

    If you have gone over your pre-booked exit date and time, you can pay for any overstay changes at the barrier via credit or debit card.
  • What should I do if my flight is delayed?
    If your flight is delayed and you have pre-booked, drive up to the barrier or scan the QR code you received with your booking confirmation at a pay station or exit barrier. This will give you a preferential overstay rate, which can be paid at a pay station or exit barrier.
  • Where can I pay for my parking? Where are the pay stations located?
    Pay stations to pay by card or cash are located in the terminal building, in the Express Drop Off and Pick Up area, and within the Short Stay Car Park. Drivers can also pay via credit or debit card at any car park exit barrier.
  • Where do I drop someone off / pick someone up?
    At Belfast City Airport, we pride ourselves on offering our passengers choice and convenience. That is why we have three options for those needing to drop off or pick up passengers:
     
    • Drop Off and Pick Up in our Long Stay Car Park which offers users 10 minutes free.
     
    • Express Drop Off and Pick Up area, located close to the terminal building for motorists simply dropping off or picking up passengers. This incurs a charge of £4.00 for the first 10 minutes. The charges for stays beyond that can be found here.
     
    • Short Stay Car Park – ideal for those who plan to be on-site for more than 10 minutes when dropping off or picking up passengers.
     
    • Blue Badge holders can avail of up to 2 hours free parking to drop off / pick up passengers in our Short Stay Car Park. Additional details can be found in our Blue Badge Parking section.
  • What is a no-parking zone? How will I know if I’m in one?

    To ensure the safety of everyone on-site, no-stopping zones are areas in which drivers cannot park or stop at any time. These will be clearly signposted on entry to the no-stopping zones. Those that disregard these signs will be subject to a parking charge of up to £100. 

     

  • Who do I contact with a data subject access request?

    Belfast City Airport complies with the ICO's guidance on SARs and will conduct a review of the electronic information that we hold about you. We may have follow up questions to confirm your identity. 

    If your request is specifically regarding the information held regarding a traffic enforcement order, please forward your query to [email protected]   

    Belfast City Airport is a controller of this personal information, however it does not directly store, manage, or have access to, this personal information.  

    More information can be found on our website's privacy policy - https://www.belfastcityairport.com/Privacy 

  • Who do I contact with queries on my parking charge?
    The issue and management of all parking charges issued as a result of stopping in our no-stopping zones are handled through an external provider, Vehicle Control Services Limited – please use the contact details provided on your parking charge for any questions, queries, or appeals.
  • Will I be charged for dropping someone off / picking someone up?
    Charges will apply in the Express Drop Off and Pick Up area and in the Short Stay Car Park. However drivers can still avail of free drop off and pick up in our Long Stay Car Park.

    Blue Badge holders can avail of up to 2 hours free in our Short Stay Car Park for dropping off or picking up passengers. Further detail can be found in the Blue Badge Parking section.

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