Belfast International Airport reports rise in profits and passengers

Belfast International Airport has seen an increase in profits and passengers.

The airport is reporting an almost six-fold increase in operating profit on a turnover that has jumped by almost 12%.

The operating profit was £2.886 million which was close to a 500% jump on the previous year’s figure of £510,000.

The airport also says it is on course for a record year for passengers.

It expects to achieve 5.76 million passengers by the end of 2017 and to exceed 6 million next year.

Last year passenger numbers soared by 17% from 4.4 million to 5.2 million.

The airport has described the financial performance as ‘superb’.

Commenting on the results, the Managing Director also called for air passenger duty to be scrapped.

Graham Keddie said: “Our big ‘asks’ remain the ending of Air Passenger Duty (APD) on short-haul flights to really enhance our competitive edge and work on approach roads to our airport which are in need of upgrading to make them fit for purpose. Things are looking good, and this superb effort will be maintained next year as we continue on our growth trajectory.

“Our team has worked hard to achieve these impressive numbers. Our business is ever-changing, and what we’re seeing is a sustained effort leading to tremendous growth.”

He continued: “Indeed, passenger growth is leading to investment by our providers with food and beverage provider, SSP, showing the way with an investment of £2.5 million in its outlets. JD Sport has taken the last unit we have available and we’re currently looking at ways of creating additional retail space airside to accommodate investor demand.

“On top of that, we have seen an additional 800 jobs actually created by our businesses. We’re an economic and employment success story for Northern Ireland, but we’re only at the start of our exciting ‘journey’.”