Belfast City Airport has announced a public consultation on its potential 200 million GBP draft investment proposals.
The consultation follows the recent submission of Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) to Belfast City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Alongside the meeting on aforementioned planning applications; the airport will also undertake a voluntary public consultation on proposed changes to its current Planning Agreement, which is governed by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and will seek to provide the community with an opportunity to comment on the full package of draft proposals.
The consultation period will run from 29 September to 27 October 2026, and will see residents, businesses and stakeholders invited to learn more and share feedback in a variety of ways, including in person at one of the airport’s public consultation events, in writing, via a dedicated consultation website, or via email.
Matthew Hall, Chief Executive at Belfast City Airport, said:This is an exciting time for Belfast City Airport, as we move from setting out our vision for the future to beginning the formal consultation process on our draft proposals.
These proposals have been designed to help accommodate the future demand for air travel across the island of Ireland, which is set to double by 2040, in a way that is responsible, sustainable, and mindful of our neighbours.
As an airport in the heart of Belfast, we are proud to be part of our local community, and we recognise the importance of listening to those who live and work alongside us.
We encourage local residents, passengers, and businesses to attend one of our consultation events, find out more about our draft proposals, and share their views. The feedback received will help inform any future planning applications and we look forward to hearing from everyone with an interest in the airport's future.
It is currently estimated that Belfast City Airport will need to grow in order to carry 7 million passengers annually by 2040, and, to support that growth, airport draft proposals would see enhancements made to passenger facilities, improvements made to airport operations and investments in critical infrastructure, strengthening Northern Ireland’s connectivity and economy.
In parallel with the draft infrastructure proposals; Belfast City Airport has stated that it will be seeking amendments to its existing Planning Agreement, which will ensure it can meet the forecast increase in demand and unlock the associated benefits, including increased connectivity to the UK and Europe.
