Transport in Belfast - Airports

Airports

The city has two airports: The Belfast International Airport offers domestic, European and transatlantic flights and is located north of the city, near Lough Neagh while the George Best Belfast City Airport is closer to the city centre, adjacent to Belfast Lough. In 2005, Belfast International Airport was the 11th busiest commercial airport in the UK, accounting for just over 2% of all UK terminal passengers while the George Best Belfast City Airport was the 16th busiest and had 1% of UK terminal passengers.

• The Belfast International Airport Aldergrove offers domestic, European and transatlantic flights and is located 21 kilometres northwest of the city, near Lough Neagh. It was opened in 1917 as a training establishment for the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. A new Executive Aviation Terminal was opened in 1987 and annual passenger numbers reached 4.5 million in 2004. In 2005, it was the 11th busiest commercial airport in the UK, accounting for just over 2% of all UK terminal passengers.
• The George Best Belfast City Airport, named after the city's most famous footballing son, is closer to the city centre, beside Belfast Lough. Previously named the Harbour Airport, it was opened on 16 March 1938 by Anne Chamberlain, the wife of the British Prime Minister at the time. It opened to passenger flights in 1983 and opened a new passenger terminal in 2001. The airport was officially renamed after George Best on 22 May 2006, the day he would have celebrated his 60th birthday. In 2005, it was the 16th busiest airport in the UK and had 1% of all UK terminal passengers.