Here are the recent changes at Belfast International Airport that affect how you travel, from new routes and price changes to construction and security rules. This page was last updated in August 2026. It covers what has changed, not today's live status.
Checking live delays and departures today
For today's delays, cancellations and live departure boards, check the official Belfast International Airport website and your airline app, or a flight tracker such as Flightradar24. This page tracks the changes that stick, not minute-by-minute status.
Passenger records and milestones
- Full-year 2025 (CAA data) Belfast International handled 6.677 million passengers, just over 1% down on the 2024 record of 6.757 million, making 2025 its second-busiest year ever. Across all three NI airports the CAA recorded 9.262 million in 2025 (0.6% below 2024). (source)
- ~30 July 2026 Ryanair marked its 7 millionth passenger through Belfast International since it began operating there in 2016, and launched a £29.99 seat sale to celebrate. It runs 166 weekly flights across 15 routes this summer from a two-aircraft, ~$200m base supporting over 1,000 jobs. (source)
- 2024 financial year The airport reported pre-tax profit up 81% to £17.3m, its most profitable year since 2001, on the back of record passenger numbers. (source)
Construction / terminal works and investment
- 2025 (Phase One opened) The airport opened Phase One of a five-year, £100m VINCI Airports redevelopment: a new terminal extension with a state-of-the-art security hall, an expanded duty-free area, and improvements to the arrivals experience including a new external forecourt. (source)
- £25m first phase The initial phase, delivered with Mott MacDonald, is designed to safeguard future growth and centres on the new security hall with Next Generation Security Equipment. (source)
- 2024 Fixed asset additions rose to £25.6m (from £10.5m in 2023), reflecting the new security and arrivals hall investment. (source)
Security rule changes
- 2026 status Belfast International operates the relaxed liquids rule: passengers can carry up to 2 litres of liquids and leave liquids and electronics in their hand luggage, thanks to the new Gen 3 / next-generation screening in the upgraded security hall. (source)
- 2024 The airport unveiled its new Security Hall with Gen 3 X-ray technology, the first step of the £100m VINCI programme. (source)
New and returning routes / airlines
- Summer 2026 TUI Ireland launched a new direct route from Belfast International to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), operating Saturdays from 20 June 2026 using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft; Cancún (Mexico) direct service also starts July 2026. (source)
- 4 January 2027 (announced July 2026) easyJet announced a new winter route from Belfast International to Aberdeen, operating twice weekly. (source)
- Summer 2026 The network exceeds 70 destinations, boosted by two additional based aircraft from easyJet and Jet2/Jet2holidays plus Ryanair's largest-ever programme and TUI's expanded long-haul leisure flying. (source)
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Last verified August 2026 by the Belfast Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Belfast International Airport website before you travel.