Northern Ireland, the 6 counties at the top of the island of Ireland, welcomes over 5 million visitors every year.
A large portion of these visitors will come via travelling in southern Ireland and the airports there, but Northern Ireland also has three airports servicing both the local community and its visitors!
Whether you’re planning a trip or just curious, let’s look at the airports below.
How Many Airports are in Northern Ireland?
Belfast International Airport
- Location: Located 18 miles northwest of Belfast city centre, in County Antrim.
- Opening Date: The airport was opened in 1917 and became an international airport in 1963.
- Size: The airport covers an area of approximately 1,600 acres.
- Average Passenger Numbers per Year: Over 6 million passengers per year. Examples of Routes Served: Popular routes include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Alicante.
- Major Renovations or Refurbishments: In recent years, Belfast International Airport has undergone significant expansions and improvements to enhance the passenger experience, including the addition of new shops, restaurants, and a business lounge.
- Other Useful Details: The airport offers a range of facilities such as duty-free shopping, car rental services, on-site parking, and multiple dining options. It is well-connected to the city centre by public transportation and offers a variety of transportation options for travellers.
George Best Belfast City Airport
- Location: Situated in the heart of Belfast, County Antrim.
- Opening Date: The airport opened in 1938 and is named after the famous footballer George Best.
- Size: The airport covers an area of approximately 160 acres.
- Average Passenger Numbers per Year: Over 2.5 million passengers per year.
- Examples of Routes Served: Key routes include London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, and Southampton.
- Major Renovations or Refurbishments: In recent years, George Best Belfast City Airport has undergone significant refurbishments, including terminal improvements, expanded retail and dining options, and enhanced security facilities.
- Other Useful Details: The airport offers a range of amenities such as duty-free shopping, car rental services, on-site parking, and various dining options. Its proximity to Belfast’s city center makes it easily accessible for travellers, with multiple transport options available.
City of Derry Airport
- Location: Situated 7 miles northeast of Derry/Londonderry, County Londonderry.
- Opening Date: The airport opened in 1980.
- Size: The airport covers an area of approximately 600 acres.
- Average Passenger Numbers per Year: Over 400,000 passengers per year.
- Examples of Routes Served: Key routes include London, Glasgow, and Liverpool.
- Major Renovations or Refurbishments: City of Derry Airport has undergone several renovations in recent years, including the expansion of the terminal building, improved passenger facilities, and upgraded runway and air traffic control systems.
- Other Useful Details: The airport offers car rental services, on-site parking, and a cafe for passengers’ convenience. It is easily accessible from Derry/Londonderry city center, and taxi and public transportation options are available.
As you can see, Northern Ireland has one international airport, servicing flights to nations beyond the UK, Ireland and nearby European nations, and also has two further airports facilitating shorter journeys.
The majority of locals in Northern Ireland will use Dublin Airport for longer international journeys as that airport has many more scheduled flights, and Dublin is just 2 hours travel from Belfast making it relatively accessible for most.
We hope this helps, enjoy your travels!