£15m project unveiled at Belfast City Airport

The significant upgrade of the departures lounge includes new retailers, enhanced bars and restaurants, additional seating and a new security search area which has reduced average queuing times to six minutes .

“Our vision is to exceed our passengers’ expectations at every touchpoint of their journey and given the hugely positive customer feedback to date, I believe we are well on our way to achieving this,” said chief executive Brian Ambrose.

“Listening to customer feedback, we acted to further enhance and ease the passenger journey through the airport.

“We’re delighted to see the finished terminal facilities and I am confident that those travelling through Belfast City Airport will be impressed.”

The newly refurbished World Duty Free and WH Smith units have opened alongside local lifestyle and gift store, Born and Bred representing a 30% increase in the retail offering.

The Artisan bar restaurant is the centrepiece of the new departures lounge showcasing Northern Irish produce.

Key to the process added Mr Ambrose was ensuring that passngers’ journeys through the airport were as stress free as possible.

“Using the very latest equipment and technology, such as automatic tray return facilities, e-gates and additional lanes, customers can now expect an average processing time of six minutes,” he said.

“In addition to the improvements inside the terminal, the airport’s car park booking system has been upgraded, and a ‘Premier’ car park introduced. We have also welcomed the first of three new fire tenders which are equipped with the very latest fire and rescue technologies.”

Gerry Lennon, chief executive at Visit Belfast, said: “The vast majority of our out of state visitors arrive by air, so we welcome Belfast City Airport’s continuing investment in creating a first-class first impression and world-class welcome.

“With increasing numbers choosing to visit Belfast, tourism is really on the rise and with positive experiences we hope they will encourage their friends and family to come too.”