PROFITS at Belfast City Airport have soared beyond £3 million for the first time, the latest accounts show.
The airport, named named by The Telegraph as the UK and Ireland’s most convenient, has reported a stellar 2018, with operating profits rising by almost 12 per cent (11.9 per cent) from £2.9m to £3.3m.
Turnover at Belfast City, which handled 2.51 million passengers during the year, also rose by 3.9 per cent from £21.3m to £22.1m.
The positive accounts for 2018 come in the same year as work started on a £15m refurbishment programme, the biggest infrastructural investment in the airport’s 80-year history.
The scheme included a major upgrade of the departure lounge and a significant increase in its retail and food and beverage offering. Meanwhile, a reconfiguration of the central security area, which included the introduction of new security lanes, has cut the average passenger processing time to only six minutes.
The first of three new purpose-built fire tenders, offering the latest technology in aviation fire-fighting and rescue, were also delivered to Belfast City Airport Fire Service in 2018, as part of a seven-figure investment.
The "strong" financial figures follow hot on the heels of the airport being named as the most punctual in the UK, according to Civil Aviation Authority data.
The figures, reported last week, revealed that departures from the east Belfast airport in 2018 were an average of eight minutes late. This was half the average delay recorded at the 24 major UK airports and three times shorter than the worst performing airport , London Stansted, where flights were an average of 25 minutes late.
Belfast City Airport chief executive, Brian Ambrose welcomed the latest set of accounts as it continues on a path of growth.
“2018 was another strong year for Belfast City Airport and it was particularly pleasing to open our new security area as part of our overall terminal upgrade, which has been hugely popular with our passengers," he said.
“Our programme of investment works carry on throughout 2019 as we continue to improve the journey from car to gate. A covered walkway has recently been installed from our premier car park and our front of house area is being redeveloped ensuring ease of access for all passengers."
“We also constantly work to develop our route offering, alongside our airline partners Aer Lingus, British Airways, KLM, and Flybe, seeking new opportunities to increase frequency and capacity across our domestic and European network," Mr Ambrose added.
