Belfast International Airport opens £25m terminal extension in major £100m investment programme

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are pictured with Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, Dan Owens, Belfast International Airport’s Chief Executive, and Pierre Anjolras, CEO of VINCI.

Photos by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Belfast International Airport has officially opened a new terminal extension, marking the completion of the first phase in its ambitious £100 million, five-year investment programme.

The development, valued at £25 million, includes a next-generation security hall, a 1600 sqm Duty-Free store, and a revamped external forecourt, significantly enhancing the passenger experience at Northern Ireland’s busiest airport.

The formal inauguration was attended by Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who joined Pierre Anjolras, CEO of VINCI, and Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, for the ceremony.

Since acquiring Belfast International Airport in 2018, VINCI Airports has led substantial infrastructure upgrades to boost connectivity, economic development, and sustainability.

The airport, a critical hub for both tourism and the regional economy, supports over 4,000 jobs and handled nearly 7 million passengers last year—a record it aims to surpass in 2025.

Transformative Duty-Free Experience

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are pictured with Linzi Rooney, owner of Born and Bred store in the duty free area at Belfast International Airport.

A centrepiece of the expansion is the new Duty-Free offering, delivered in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail. The innovative retail space brings together Duty Free, Food & Beverage, and Travel Essentials under one roof for the first time at the airport.

Passengers can now shop globally recognised brands including Charlotte Tilbury and Rituals, while also discovering homegrown Northern Irish favourites such as McConnells, Bushmills, and Boatyard Distillery.

In partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, the terminal now features initiatives like the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail and an international tasting bar, offering travellers a chance to sample local and global products.

Despite these enhancements, airport officials have highlighted a key disparity in duty-free policy.

“Northern Ireland travellers still cannot avail of the full duty-free tax exemption when travelling to other UK and EU airports, as airports across the rest of the UK and Ireland can, following the Brexit transition period,” a spokesperson noted. “This is an issue we are determined to put right.”

Security Upgrades and Inspired Design

The newly built security hall features state-of-the-art Next Generation Security Equipment (NGSE), allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronics inside hand luggage. The design aims to streamline the process while creating a more relaxed and efficient experience.

Outside the terminal, a redesigned forecourt complements the internal improvements. Inspired by the original 1963 terminal, the new architecture features an angular roof reminiscent of an aircraft wing, blending historical elements with modern design.

Commitment to Growth and Sustainability

Belfast International Airport CEO Dan Owens reflected on the milestone, saying:

“When we started this process around two years ago, we were focused on our goal to transform the passenger experience at Belfast International Airport. Today we can say we have made significant progress in achieving that goal.

“We provide employment for over 4000 people connecting almost 7 million passengers across our airline network.

“As the economic driver for this region in terms of economic development and tourism growth we are committed to further enhancing the passenger experience while also working with our airline partners to develop our network of routes.”

With additional investment scheduled over the next three years, the airport is set to continue its transformation, reaffirming its role as a key player in Northern Ireland’s infrastructure and economic growth.