Belfast City Airport seeking permission for later flights

Belfast City Airport is seeking permission to extend its evening flights from 21:30 BST to 22:30 as part of a major expansion plan. The operator also wants to increase its annual flight limit by 27%, raising the cap from 48,000 to 61,000 movements a year. The changes would require a modification to the airport's legally binding Planning Agreement, with the final decision likely resting with the infrastructure minister. The proposals may provoke opposition from local residents' groups and environmental campaigners. Matthew Hall, chief executive at Belfast City Airport, stated that extended operating hours and increased traffic movement limits are "critical" for the airport to meet the forecast increase in air travel demand. He added that the proposed changes would provide operational flexibility for airline schedules and future route development while maintaining a framework that balances growth with responsibility toward the local community. Modifying the Planning Agreement will involve a lengthy process with councils and other planning bodies, running in parallel with the airport's ongoing expansion plans first outlined last year.