Belfast City Airport Consultation Opens on Plans to Increase Annual Flights to 61,000 and Extend Hours to 10:30pm
Why It MattersThe proposal signals continued pressure to expand regional UK airport capacity and passenger numbers even as local noise and curfew-breach opposition grows.
A public consultation has opened on Belfast City Airport's 2040 masterplan, which proposes raising annual aircraft movements from 48,000 to 61,000 and extending the scheduled closing time from 9:30pm to 10:30pm, while retaining a midnight-to-06:30am no-fly period. The plan also covers extended passenger facilities, new airfield infrastructure, improved road access, a multimodal forecourt, additional parking and an on-site hotel, alongside a goal to double the workforce to more than 2,200 and grow passenger numbers to seven million over 15 years, plus a proposed rail halt opposite the terminal that would make it the first airport on the island of Ireland directly connected by rail.
Belfast City Airport says the development could be worth £1.7 billion annually to Northern Ireland's economy and support 23,000 jobs. A proposal of application notice has been submitted to Belfast City Council and Ards & North Down Borough Council, formally triggering the consultation.
The Green Party has launched a petition opposing the plans, with Councillor Anto Flynn saying residents under flight paths have legitimate concerns about noise, disruption and quality of life, and that the petition would be submitted as part of the consultation. Belfast City Airport Watch spokesperson Daniel Byrne raised concerns about increased early-morning and late-night flights causing nightly sleep disturbance, as well as air pollution and road congestion. The airport's own statistics recorded nearly 50 incidents of flights airborne beyond curfew in June alone, and 104 such incidents between April and June.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill described the masterplan in September 2025 as showing "great ambition and a really bold vision for the future," while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it had the potential to deliver "huge benefits for Northern Ireland." Airport Chief Executive Matthew Hall said the plans reflect growing demand for air travel while committing to sustainable operation and long-term benefits for passengers, businesses, the local community and the wider economy.
