Belfast airport

Belfast International Airport is located 21.3 km northwest of Belfast. It is also known as Aldergrove airport because of the village (having the same name) which is located west of the Belfast airport. In 2009, the airport was capable of handling 4.5 million passengers. Royal air force base is sharing the runways of Belfast international airport. On the island of Ireland, after Dublin airport Belfast international airport is the second busiest airport in terms of traffic congestion and number of passengers. There are no airspace limitations on operation of airport. It works for 365 days in year and 24 hours a day, in order to facilitate the passengers.

During the First World War, the site for Belfast airport was decided in 1917. In 1922, civil flights were conducted. For RAF activity, airport remains opened. Specifically for the coastal commands Belfast international airport remained RAF base during the World War 2. In order to replace the four run ways with two new paved (long) runways extension programs were undertaken so that long-range aircraft could handle. This all happened during 1918-1945 and still today these runways are being used. Nutts corner airport was constructing as a result of wartime airfield construction program 4.8 km from Aldergrove. In 1959, it was decided to take advantage of large airfield by moving civil flights to Aldergrove.

During 1971-1997, in order to improve taxiways, runways and parking areas, various major extension programs were undertaken. In order to separate the large commercial jets from smaller general aviation additional parking apron was provided. The first shuttle service Heathrow was launched by British airways and on a chartered service the first Boeing 747 was operated from the Belfast airport. In 1985, the airport had a capacity to accommodate 1.5 million passengers. During late 1980’s and early 1990’s, new terminal’s extension and development occurred. In 1987, an aviation terminal was opened. The passenger handling capacity of airport reached to 2.5 million on13 August 1996.