Belfast International Airport’s (BIA) operating profit soared by almost 500% in fiscal 2016 to reach £2.9m ($3.8m) as Northern Ireland’s gateway eyes a £13m ($17.3m) investment pipeline that covers new retail facilities. 

Turnover to year-end 2016 rose by 13% to total £34.8m ($46.4m), as passenger numbers increased by 17% to reach 5.2m – continuing 26 consecutive months of double-digit growth, a statement read.

Graham Keddie, Managing Director, BIA said: “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.

“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 Sports 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.”

RETAIL INVESTMENT

Capital expenditure totalled £4.1m ($5.5m) in 2016 with further plans set to raise this year’s investment ceiling to over £5m ($6.7m).

As exclusively revealed by TRBusiness earlier this year, Belfast is examining ‘substantial retail investments’ in the commercial airside area to the tune of around £2m ($2.6m) to £3m ($4m), an airport source said at the time.

Lagardère Travel Retail’s Aelia Duty free is the current airside tax and duty free retail incumbent, operating on level 2 departures alongside other operators including WHSmith, Starbucks, Oasis and Burger King.

As mentioned above, JD Sports is the latest addition to the departures lounge, opening an 171sq m fixture last month.

New routes from new and existing airlines remain a priority, says the airport, which earlier this month increased the frequency of easyJet flights to and from Geneva for the Winter season as the low-cost carrier continues to build its 28 route-strong network.

“We are offering a real alternative to Dublin which is suffering from a strong euro and we will continue to draw more lucrative business from the Republic of Ireland in 2018,” added Keddie.

“Things are looking good, and this superb effort will be maintained next year as we continue on our growth trajectory.”