Frequently Asked Questions

General Airport Information

• What time does the airport open / close at?
  Belfast City Airport is open from 04.00-22.00 March – October and 04.30-22.00 October – March. The Airport is closed on Christmas Day.
• What are the aircraft operational hours at Belfast City Airport?
  Aircraft are permitted to operate between 06.30 and 21.30 each day. Exceptions are made up until 23.00 in the case of delays.
• How do I make a complaint?
  Visit our Contact Us page and complete our online form. A member of our team will aim to respond within 24 hours.

Security

• Can liquids be taken through security?
  Yes, liquids, creams, pastes, gels, aerosols can be taken through security providing they are 100ml or less and presented in a single transparent and sealable bag.
  
  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. If you are not travelling with a baby or infant, excess liquid should be carried as hold luggage.
  
  Exceptions will also be made for liquid medicines. You are only permitted to carry quantities of liquid medication in excess of your personal liquid allowance where it is needed during the course of your flight. All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a medical practitioner confirming that you need them for your journey. Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage.
  
  Liquid baby food and liquid medicines will undergo checks before being permitted to be carried.
• 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.
• 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: https://www.belfastcityairport.com/Airport-Security
• 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.

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

• Do you have ATMs at Belfast City Airport?
  Yes, we have a number of ATMs located in both our main concourse and our Departures Lounge. We also have one ATM in our Departures Lounge which issues foreign currency should you require it for your onward journey.
• Do you have an airport lounge?
  Yes, you can visit our Aspire Lounge up to 3 hours before your flight departs where you can enjoy unlimited food and beverages whilst taking in the views of our runway. Prices for our Aspire Lounge start at just £19.99pp.
• Do you have a prayer room?
  We have a multi-faith room located beside the Airport Parking desk in our main concourse.
• Do you have baby changing / baby feeding facilities at the airport?
  Baby changing and baby feeding facilities are available in both our main concourse and in our Departures Lounge. Our baby changing / baby feeding facilities are easily located, spacious, discreet and comfortable.
• Do you have a water fountain in the Departures Lounge?
  Yes, our free water dispenser is located in the seating area behind WHSmith in our Departures Lounge.
• Does the airport have WiFi?
  Belfast City Airport offers free, unlimited wifi to all passengers.

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.

Media Enquiries

• I would like to advertise at Belfast City Airport – who do I contact?
  Visit our Advertising at the Airport webpage for more information.
• I am a member of the media and have an enquiry – who do I contact?
  For all media enquiries, please contact Lighthouse Communications using the details below:
   
  Email: info@lighthouseni.com
  Telephone: 02890 397824

Car Park

• Can I 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 shown at the time of booking.

• Do you have disabled parking spaces?
  Yes, we have a number of designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders located in our Short Stay car park, close to the terminal building.
• 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 should I do if my flight is delayed?
  If your flight is delayed, please insert the ticket you recieved on entry or scan the QR code you recieved with your booking confirmation at a pay station or exit barrier. This will then give you a preferential overstay rate, which can be paid at either location.

Drones

• The landowner from where I will launch my Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) requires a NATS (National Air Traffic Services) flight approval number, can you provide this?
  This is the number you receive when you submit your NSF centrally to https://www.nats.aero/do-it-online/non-standard-flight-nsf-applications/ a copy of which is emailed to the address you give in the application.
  
  You will also then receive an approval / denial email directly from NATS at Belfast City Airport, once it has been fully processed at the airport, which will have the same number on it as an identifier of the specific flight(s) requested and list any actions required.
• If I am unable to fly my Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) during the time stated in my Non-Standard Flight (NSF) application, can I change just the date/time?
  No, you will need to submit a full new NSF application to cover the new date(s)/time(s) as this is initially processed centrally before reaching the airport.
   
• How can I contact Belfast City Airport to ask for permission to fly my drone?

  Permissions for Drones/SUA flights:

  Circumstances	Conditions	Permission Required from
  Outside of Aerodrome FRZ	Flight > 400ft	Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) www.caa.co.uk/uas
  Within Aerodrome FRZ	Flight to take place during notified hours of ATC.	Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Belfast City Airport drones@bca.aero Please notify ATC at least 2 weeks before intended flight. NSF Approval is required in advance (see below) Note: it may be possible to also obtain ATC permission to fly a drone > 400ft if the air traffic situation can permit this.
  	Flight to take place outside of operational hours of ATC.	Belfast City Airport Aerodrome Operator drones@bca.aero Please notify BCA at least 2 weeks before intended flight. Note: aerodrome operator cannot permit drone flight > 400 ft.

• What is the flight restriction zone around Belfast City Airport?

  Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) around aerodromes (EASA certified, national licenced & government) consist of the following at Belfast City Airport:
  
  1. the aerodrome traffic zone at the aerodrome

  • centred on the runway mid-point with a radius of 2nm, extending from the surface up to 2,000ft above the level of the aerodrome

  2. any runway protection zones at the aerodrome

  • 5km in length by 1km in width that extend from each runway threshold into the approach to that runway, extending from the surface up to 2,000ft above the level of the aerodrome

  You MUST NOT fly a small unmanned aircraft within the flight restriction zone of a protected aerodrome without first ensuring that you have permission to do so.

  The flight restriction zone is active at all times & applies to all small unmanned aircraft of any mass (even very small ‘toys’).

• Where can I find guidance about flying my drone?

  Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines & NATS advice can be found at:

  • Introduction to unmanned aircraft systems
  • CAP722 - Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Guidance.
  • CAP1763 - ANO 2018 & 2019 Amendments - Guidance for SUA users
• What are the requirements to fly a commercial drone around Belfast?
  You can find details about the requirements to fly a drone commercially from the CAA.
• If my Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flight is outside of the airport Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) do I still need to submit a Non-Standard Flight (NSF) application?
  No.
  
  If you wish to fly a drone outside of the Belfast City Airport FRZ you don’t need to submit an NSF or inform us at the airport.
  
  However, if you are within the FRZ of another airport you will need to inform them.
  
  Also, if your drone flight is to be > 400ft above ground level (AGL), regardless of where it is, you will need to inform the CAA directly via www.caa.co.uk/uas.
   
• If want to fly my Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) within the Belfast City Airport Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) this week but have not yet submitted a Non-Standard Flight (NSF) application, can I fly?
  We advise 2 weeks’ notice, via an NSF application, to fly a UAS with our FRZ to allow sufficient time for processing.  The NSF initially goes through a central system before reaching the airport who then have to process & reply to the UAS pilot via email.
  
  If you give less than 2 weeks’ notice we will attempt to reply but cannot guarantee it. An NSF will still need to be submitted via https://www.nats.aero/do-it-online/non-standard-flight-nsf-applications/
  
  The further in advance of your flight date you submit your NSF request the more likely you are to receive approval in a timely manner.