Belfast City Airport has lodged Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) with Belfast City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council, starting the formal consultation phase on draft plans to realise its Master Plan 2040.

The PANs cover prospective outline and full planning applications that together represent a potential £200 million private investment.

The submission of PANs initiates statutory public engagement on the airport’s draft proposals ahead of any future planning applications. Alongside this process, the airport will run a voluntary public consultation on proposed amendments to its Planning Agreement, which is governed by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), so that communities can comment on the full package of plans.

If delivered, the Master Plan 2040 is forecast to contribute £1.7 billion each year to the regional economy and support over 23,000 jobs across Northern Ireland. Subject to feedback from the consultations, the airport expects to submit planning applications to both councils later this year and make a separate submission to the DfI seeking modifications to its operational controls.

Matthew Hall, Chief Executive at Belfast City Airport, said: "Following an extensive period of consultation, we launched our Master Plan 2040 earlier this year, setting out how Belfast City Airport can continue to underpin Northern Ireland's connectivity, economy and future growth."

He added: "The feedback received has helped shape these draft proposals, which are an important next step in turning that long-term vision into a reality. By creating the conditions for sustainable growth, we have the potential to deliver significant economic benefits, accelerate our sustainability ambition, attract further private investment, and strengthen Northern Ireland's links with key destinations across the UK and beyond."

With aviation analysts forecasting that demand to and from the island of Ireland will double over the next 15 years, Northern Ireland’s airports may need to handle up to 21 million passengers annually. Belfast City Airport anticipates carrying around 7 million of those passengers by 2040. To accommodate that growth, the draft plans propose upgrades to passenger facilities, operational improvements and investment in critical infrastructure to bolster Northern Ireland’s connectivity and economy. The PANs outline extended terminal facilities and new airfield infrastructure, improved access, a new multimodal forecourt, additional parking, and complementary airport uses including a hotel.

The proposals also safeguard the option of a pedestrian link to a future rail halt serving the airport, reflecting ongoing collaboration with Translink under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. If progressed, the rail halt could transform airport accessibility, encourage greater public transport use and make Belfast City Airport the first airport on the island of Ireland with a direct rail connection.

Hall continued: “These draft infrastructure proposals have been designed to support the airport’s growth in a way that is balanced and mindful of our surroundings and, importantly, do not include any extension to the existing runway.”

In parallel, the airport will seek changes to its Planning Agreement for DfI consideration. Draft amendments are expected to include: a one-hour increase in scheduled operations from a 15-hour to a 16-hour day, allowing scheduled movements up to 22:30 while retaining the no-fly period between 00:00 and 06:29; and an increase in annual traffic movements from 48,000 to 61,000, remaining within the existing noise contour and environmental controls.

Hall said: "Extended operating hours and increased annual traffic movement limits are critical for Belfast City Airport to be able to meet the forecast increase in demand for air travel and enable it to unlock the associated benefits, including increased connectivity to the UK and Europe. They are also essential to support the investment needed to deliver the infrastructure required for the airport’s long-term growth."

He added: "The proposed changes would provide the operational flexibility required to facilitate airline schedules and future route development, while continuing to operate within a framework that recognises the importance of balancing growth with our commitment to being a responsible neighbour."

The airport will share more details in the coming weeks as it embarks on an extensive programme of community consultation, including public information events. Feedback from stakeholders will inform the final proposals.