Belfast International earns top accessibility rating as 120,000 passengers seek assistance

(L-R): Siobhan Downey, OCS Airport Services manager, Niall McElkearney, BIA Terminal Operations Manager and Una McKeown – BIA Operations Manager

Belfast International Airport has secured a “Very Good” accessibility rating from the UK Civil Aviation Authority as the number of passengers requiring additional assistance reaches its highest level on record.

Around 120,000 passengers used assistance services at the airport during 2025, an increase of 8% on the previous year, underlining the growing importance of accessible facilities and support at Northern Ireland’s largest airport.

The assessment forms part of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Airport Accessibility Report 2025/26, which examines how airports perform in providing assistance to disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility.

Demand for assistance reaches record level

Belfast International’s “Very Good” classification places it among the better-performing UK airports for the quality of accessibility assistance provided to passengers.

The result comes against a backdrop of increasing demand. Based on the figures supplied by the airport, the 8% annual rise means approximately 9,000 more passengers required assistance in 2025 than during the previous year.

For passengers who need additional help navigating an airport — whether because of a disability, reduced mobility or another accessibility requirement — the quality and reliability of that support can be a significant part of their journey.

New dedicated accessible car park

Belfast International says it has continued investing in accessible facilities, staff training and improvements to its assistance services.

Among the most significant recent changes is a new dedicated accessible car park, intended to guarantee the availability of spaces for passengers with accessibility needs as demand increases.

The accessibility improvements are being delivered alongside the airport’s wider £100 million investment programme, which is modernising infrastructure and passenger facilities.

Airport welcomes CAA assessment

Una McKeown, Airport Operations Manager, said the rating reflected the work of airport staff and its assistance services delivery partner, OCS.

She said:

“We are extremely proud to once again be recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority as a ‘Very Good’ airport for accessibility.

“It reflects the commitment of our teams and our delivery partner OCS and reinforces our commitment to continually improving accessibility as we transform the passenger experience.”

With assistance requests now at record levels, maintaining that standard will become increasingly important as Belfast International handles growing numbers of passengers requiring additional support.