News

New drop off and pick up arrangements

Published: 17 July 2010

Work is nearing completion to create a drop off zone as well as improved traffic flow to the airport terminal with the new system to be implemented on Wednesday 7th July 2010.

We have invested heavily in this new system for pick up and set down in order to bring us into line with UK Government guidelines stating that we must increase the distance between vehicle zones and the terminal building, following the Glasgow Airport bomb in June 2007. The existing layout has been redesigned to accommodate these changes.

In order to reduce the congestion around the airport terminal, a new pick up and drop off zone will provide additional space for people to unload luggage from their vehicle in safety and comfort. The new area has two lanes with four rows of spaces and is double the kerb length of the previous set down facility.

The drop off /pick up zone can be used for up to ten minutes and a charge of £1.00 will be made for each vehicle entering the area.  For those driving to the airport and needing to park for longer than 10 minutes, the short stay car park adjacent to the drop off zone is the best option. In order to facilitate the new system we have doubled the time duration at the lowest rate in the short stay car park to encourage the use of this car park for those who need to stay for longer.

Care has also been taken to provide larger bays with special facilities for passengers with reduced mobility.  This new facility will make dropping off at Belfast International Airport faster and easier.  Translink and Airporter buses will still be able to pick up outside the terminal building and all other vehicles over 2.1 metres in height will be able to use the coach park beside the terminal building.

Belfast International Airport remains one of the most competitively priced airports in the UK and Ireland for car parking.  A recent WHICH? Survey (May 2010) reported that, of the UK's Top 15 busiest airports, Belfast International Airport ranked as one of the cheapest for car parking - £4 per day when pre booked online.

These new arrangements bring us into line with most other airports in the UK and will be in place from 00:01am on Wednesday 7th July 2010.  Vehicle drivers will be able to make payment by cash or by using a credit or debit card.

In recognition of the changes to the traffic flow, and as always during the peak holiday period, our best advice to passengers is to leave plenty of time for their journey to the airport.

For more information please click here.