Belfast International Airport welcomes £2.3m Levelling Up support from UK Government

• Belfast international airport to roll out new electric buses, LED lighting and fixed electrical ground power • Huge contribution in strive to reach VINCI Airports’ Net Zero ambition (scope 1 and 2) by 2030 Northern Ireland’s largest airport, Belfast International, part of the VINCI Airports network, has today [19 January 2023] welcomed the allocation of £2.3m support through levelling-up funds from the UK Government.

The airport has received the funding support to assist in VINCI Airports’ mission to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2030 (scope 1 & 2) in all the European airports of the network. 

The support from the UK Government will allow Belfast international airport to accelerate a series of action that are part of VINCI Airports’ decarbonization action plan:

  • Roll out two new electric buses for transporting domestic and international passengers to and from flights.
  • Support the introduction of LED Lighting across the site replacing the existing halide lights to more eco-friendly LED technology that will lower carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption and maintenance.
  • Introduce Fixed Electrical Ground Power that replaces the use of aircraft power units or diesel generators, all cutting carbon emissions.

Welcoming the announcement of the support, Graham Keddie, Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, said:

“This is a terrific and much needed boost not just for our airport but also for the wider aviation sector in Northern Ireland as we all strive to cut our emissions. Belfast international airport, supported by the environmental ambition of VINCI Airports, is moving forward to reach Net Zero carbon emission for its (scope 1 & 2) within the next few years.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the UK Government in our efforts to achieve this and the Levelling Up funds will certainly assist us in achieving this. We thank all the departments and Ministers, including DLUHC, the NIO, Treasury and DfT involved for their support, as well as all the locally elected representatives and stakeholders who backed our bid and we look forward to moving ahead with the roll out of our carbon cutting initiatives.”