Belfast International Airport Reports Rise In Profits And Passengers

Belfast International Airport has reported a rise in profits and passengers.

The airport said its operating profit was £2.886million which was close to a 500% jump on the previous year's figure of £510,000.

During the year to the end of December 2016, passenger numbers soared by 17% from 4.4 million to 5.2 million.

Turnover went from £31.1 million to £34.8 million with profit before tax coming in at £611,000.

Managing Director, Mr Graham Keddie, said: "Our team has worked hard to achieve these impressive numbers. Our business is ever-changing, and what we're seeing is a sustained effort leading to tremendous growth.

"Indeed, passenger growth is leading to investment by our providers with food and beverage provider, SSP, showing the way with an investment of £2.5 million in its outlets. JD Sport has taken the last unit we have available and we're currently looking at ways of creating additional retail space airside to accommodate investor demand.

"On top of that, we have seen an additional 800 jobs actually created by our businesses. We’re an economic and employment success story for Northern Ireland, but we’re only at the start of our exciting ‘journey’.

"We will add hundreds more jobs in 2018 with major investments that are in the pipeline. We will also work to add new routes by existing and new airlines. We are offering a real alternative to Dublin which is suffering from a strong euro and we will continue to draw more lucrative business from the Republic of Ireland in 2018.

"Our big 'asks' remain the ending of Air Passenger Duty (APD) on short-haul flights to really enhance our competitive edge and work on approach roads to our airport which are in need of upgrading to make them fit for purpose.

'Things are looking good, and this superb effort will be maintained next year as we continue on our growth trajectory."

(CD)