Belfast City Airport | Our Vision for the Future

Our vision is to deliver growth to 7 million passengers annually in a sustainable and responsible way.

Following an extensive consultation period in 2025, we launched our Master Plan 2040 in March 2026, outlining how we can grow responsibly and sustainably to accommodate 7 million passengers a year by 2040.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback on our draft Master Plan and helped shape transformational change for the airport, our community, and economy. We welcomed the strong levels of support shown by a wide variety of stakeholders, including our local community, elected representatives, businesses, passengers, trade bodies and airlines.  

This feedback was carefully reviewed and helped inform our Master Plan 2040, which outlines a clear vision for the airport's future development. It sets out how we can continue to support connectivity, economic growth, and employment while operating in a way that benefits our local community and meets our environmental responsibilities.

Read the consultation report

Consultation report

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Our vision will unlock a potential private investment of up to £200 million over the next 15 years, which will bring the required changes to the physical infrastructure at the airport to life.   We anticipate the need to extend the terminal, add new aircraft stands, extend the apron and taxiways, and improve surface access facilities, with the aim of reducing the proportion of people using private cars to access the airport.  There are also opportunities to provide complementary developments to support our growth, including a new hotel. To support these enhancements, changes will be required to the existing airport access, parking, and forecourt  As part of future growth, we are committed to promoting more sustainable travel choices. Working in partnership with Translink, we will seek to improve bus facilities and services, supported by appropriate parking controls to encourage greater public transport use.

Any CGIs reflect our initial Master Plan vision. We look forward to sharing the detailed design at our public consultation events.

An extension of the existing terminal

New aircrafts stands, aprons, and taxiway

SURFACE ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING A NEW MULTI-MODAL FORECOURT

opportunity to deliver a transformational rail halt directly serving the airport

COMPLEMENTARY ONSITE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING A NEW HOTEL AND EV CHARGING FORECOURT

Support for our vision

"Tourism plays a pivotal role in driving Belfast’s economy, serving as the lifeblood of our vibrant city. Ensuring robust air connectivity is not just vital, it is foundational to the sustained growth of our business and leisure visitor economy, as well as its competitive resilience. Continued investment in the city region’s transport infrastructure is key to delivering Visit Belfast’s vision to foster a more sustainable tourism sector that enriches visitor experiences while minimising its environmental footprint."

"Belfast City Airport is a key economic enabler and a vital gateway, supporting the drive for greater FDI, export growth and helping us achieve our strategic priorities at Invest NI for the benefit of the local economy. This Master Plan sets out how the airport will meet future demand integral to boosting investment, innovation and regional balance."

"The delivery of the ambition outlined in this Master Plan will serve as a catalyst, accelerating economic growth, boosting jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening Belfast’s position as a connected, competitive city. The contribution that Belfast City Airport makes to local business, tourism and the community is significant. 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 Belfast City Airport to be ready to help us unlock our future potential in the next decade and beyond."

"As a digital centre of excellence in Europe, Allstate Northern Ireland is a major employer in Belfast. We have a long-standing commitment to innovation that requires our people and teams to meet and collaborate regularly around the world. Belfast is an important location for us, and the proximity of Belfast City Airport is a vital link connecting our company and helping bring economic prosperity. Proposed growth at Belfast City Airport through this visionary Master Plan will facilitate greater opportunity for access and connectivity, crucial for our region."

"Belfast City Airport plays a major role, not only for Northern Ireland at a regional level, but for East Belfast. Its positive impact in terms of direct employment and its support for community projects and local economic development is core to how it operates. This new vision has the potential to support further regeneration projects, local tourism and help our community reach its full potential."

"Our regional economy is reliant on air connectivity for access to the Great Britian and European Union markets and for the movement of talent and skills. It’s so important that we do not take connectivity and routes for granted. Development of Belfast City Airport is critical to meet future economic ambition and projected passenger numbers to strengthen Northern Ireland’s position as a hub for business and trade."

"Greater air connectivity is central to making sure we can get more visitors in to, around and spend more time here in Northern Ireland. The hospitality sector is the backbone of the tourism economy and hospitality business owners work hard to deliver our world class offer. We welcome future investment and enhanced capacity at Belfast City Airport as this will have a direct positive impact in bringing more visitors to sample our world class pubs, restaurants and attractions, staying longer and spending more. We look forward to seeing the potential development of the airport strengthening our reputation as a destination of choice for visitors from GB, Europe and the rest of the world."

"We rely on the efficient and accessible air transport links that Belfast City Airport provides to maintain and grow our international partnerships, attract world-class academics, and support the mobility of students, staff, and visitors alike. Our academic community routinely benefits from the airport’s accessibility and its ability to facilitate timely travel for conferences, research collaborations, and incoming delegations. Belfast City Airport is of strategic importance to the economic, academic, and social development of both Belfast city and the wider region."

"Belfast City Airport continues to demonstrate how a forward-thinking and responsible business can be successful and create positive change and meaningful impact in local communities. The delivery of the Master Plan vision at Belfast City Airport will ensure vital connectivity and make a positive contribution to economic prosperity, enabling the airport to build on its long-term commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable development."