Belfast International Airport

About Belfast International Airport

Name: Belfast International Airport (BIA)
IATA code: BFS
Address: Belfast International Airport, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT29 4AB
Telephone: 028 9448 4848
Email: infodesk@bfs.aero

Belfast International Airport (IATA airport code BFS), sometimes referred to as Aldergrove or simply BIA, is the second busiest airport on the Irish Isles. It lies 13 miles northwest of Belfast to the East of the village of Aldergrove. In 2007 the airport handled over 5 million passengers. Around 40% of the flights arriving/departing from Belfast International Airport travel to destinations on the UK mainland: the majority of the airports international traffic flies to destinations around Europe. Belfast international Airport is also a major air cargo hub; in fact it is one of the top three regional air cargo centres in the United Kingdom. The airport published proposals for redevelopment in 2006; the plans, to be put into action over the next 25 years, include the extension of the existing airport infrastructure plus the construction of a passenger rail connection and improved road links. The airport shares its two runways with the RAF Aldergrove Royal Air Force base.

Belfast International Airport Parking

There are plenty of parking options for all types of traveller at Belfast International Airport. There are over 8000 parking spaces close to the main terminal building: the car parks are manned 24 hours a day and reserved parking is available for frequent flyers. The short stay and pick up car park is closest to the terminal building and charges by the hour for stays up to 24 hours; this is ideal if you have come to Belfast International Airport to pick up or drop off friends or family. The main car park is a short walk away and is a good choice for short break and business travellers who wish to leave their car at the airport while they are away. The airports long stay car park is situated further from the terminal building; a shuttle bus provides free transport for customers parking here. The parking rates here are much cheaper if parking is booked in advance, as turn up and pay rates are the same as the main car park.

Car parking can be paid for by cash or credit/debit card. Pay machines can be found in and next to the main terminal building; they accept cash as well as all major debit/credit cards. Payment by card can also be made at the entrance and exits to the car parks. Parking can be booked in advance through the Belfast International Airport website.

Belfast International Airport Facilities

The passenger terminal at Belfast International Airport is spread over two floors. Recent developments and enhancements have created a thoroughly modern travel environment with excellent facilities to cater for all kinds of traveller. Cash points dispensing British currency can be found throughout the terminal building and postal services are provided for those wishing to send mail before they depart. Passengers wishing to change currency will find two foreign exchange outlets in the airport, one in the arrivals section and another on the departures concourse. An information desk is located in the arrivals hall to provide assistance travellers with their onward travel.

Customers travelling with babies and young children will find baby changing facilities on the departures concourse, in the arrivals hall and in the international departure lounge. The airport has a business lounge to cater for the needs of the modern business traveller; facilities include internet access points, photocopying and fax services. Customers requiring the internet will benefit from the mobile broadband available throughout the terminal building. Air travel can be a worry for some people, Belfast International Airport has a 'quiet room' that is open to anyone who needs a space to relax and gather their thoughts. Passengers with reduced mobility will find their needs taken into consideration throughout BIA. An assistance desk is located at the left hand side of the check-in hall and will help provide any assistance needed. Wheelchair friendly toilets, lifts and low-level text and telephones are located throughout the terminal building.

Those looking for last minute travel essentials will find plenty of choice amongst the shopping outlets located in the airport. Major high street names such as WHSmith, Boots and Dixons Tax Free can be found amongst clothing retailers and gift shops selling local giftware and produce. A wide range of eating and drinking establishments will have something for all appetites. From well-known names such as Starbucks and Burger King to O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bar, Cafe Paul Rankin, Bar Des Voyageurs and more, Belfast International Airport has it all.

Belfast International Airport Flights

Belfast International Airport serves both national and international destinations. Around 40% of air traffic handled by the airport flies to and from destinations on the UK mainland; the majority of the international traffic flies to the European mainland but regular transatlantic journeys are becoming more established. Domestic services fly to most of the major cities in the UK as well as the Isle of Man, Jersey and Newquay in Cornwall, while scheduled and Charter flights travel to over 40 international destinations. Easyjet is the airline with the largest presence at BIA; in fact, around 20% of all Easyjet traffic passes through here. Easyjet flies regularly to cities on the UK mainland and 15 destinations in Europe including Krakow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Geneva and Barcelona. Aer Lingus and Jet2.com also have high presences at the airport and fly to a range of European destinations such as Toulouse, Malaga, Munich and Lourdes. Continental Airlines and Flyglobespan fly have scheduled transatlantic flights to Newark, and Toronto respectively. Charter airlines such as Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways fly to a variety of destinations including Cancun, Las Vegas, Dalaman, Las Palmas and Tenerife. Flights and hotels can be booked through the airports website, where money can be saved through special offers and seasonal promotions.

Belfast International Airport Hotels

Travellers catching an early flight or arriving late in the evening may consider staying in a Belfast International Airport hotel to get the best possible start to their trip. Belfast International Airport has a hotel, the Park Plaza Belfast, just 50 metres from the terminal building. The hotel offers excellent value and service and, due to BIAs distance from the centre of Belfast, is the ideal choice of hotel for those that need to stay close by. There are over 100 rooms and a range of options to suit all budgets; a bar and restaurant are on hand to provide refreshment and room service is available 24 hours a day. Early risers and those catching early flights will be pleased to know that breakfast is served from 5 am. Rooms at the hotel can be booked in advance via the airports main website. Special offers can be found by visiting the hotels own website. Those travelling to the airport by car should follow the same directions for the airport itself.

Belfast International Car Hire

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National Car Rental all have desks at Belfast International Airport; they can be found in the arrivals hall of the terminal building. Cars can be booked in advance via the websites of the firms just mentioned. Booking this way can save money, up to 30% in some cases; just check the deals on offer. The airport is located about 13 miles northwest of Belfast city centre and is well connected to the local road network, so those hiring cars will find it easy to travel on to Belfast and other destinations in Northern Ireland. To reach Belfast from the airport, take the A57 for seven miles, join the M2 southbound at Junction 5 and continue on to the city. There are plans to improve the road links sometime in the near future.

Belfast International Airport Transfers, Taxis, Trains

Getting to and from Belfast International Airport is easy thanks to good transport links. The Airport Express 300 bus service runs between the Europa Buscentre in Belfast city centre and the airport 24 hours a day, everyday of the week. During the day, the service departs every 10 minutes; the journey takes around 30-40 minutes and cost £7 for a single and £10 for a return. Bus services for other destinations such as Londonderry, Lisburn and Antrim also operate from just outside the terminal building. The closest train station is Antrim, which is 6 miles from the airport. A bus service called the Antrim Airlink connects the station with the airport terminal building. There has been talk of building a rail link at the airport but a concrete proposal has yet to be put forward. Passengers arriving at the airport and wishing to travel on to Dublin by train will need to travel to Belfast Central train station in the city centre. Taxis are available from the taxi rank right outside the terminal building. The journey to or from the airport from central Belfast costs around £25.

Travellers arriving at the airport by car will find the airport well sign posted and easy to get to. From Belfast, the easiest way to reach the airport is to head up the M2 and turn off at Junction 5, taking the A57 westbound for 7 miles. This route also applies to those approaching from the north, northeast and northwest. If coming from the south or west, the best approach is to take the M1 northbound, exit at the Moira Junction and take the A26 to the airport. There is s drop-off area outside the entrance to the terminal building, but due to security restrictions, anyone coming to pick-up will need to use the short stay car park.