Record Passenger Traffic Caps Year for Belfast Airports During Christmas Rush

December 23, 2025 at 04:32 PM•2 min read

Civil Aviation Authority data shows Belfast airports saw record passenger traffic during the Christmas rush, capping a year where volumes exceeded

Key Points

1Belfast airports saw record passenger traffic during the Christmas rush, with peak days in December 22nd and 23rd.
2George Best Belfast City Airport recorded a daily high of 10,000 travelers on Monday.
3Belfast International Airport expected 50,000 travelers over three peak days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
4Total 2024 passenger numbers reached 9.3 million, exceeding the pre-pandemic high of 8.9 million, according to Civil Aviation Authority data.

The Christmas period is one of the busiest times for Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport.

Peak days saw tens of thousands of travelers arriving. Many passengers were coming home for festive family reunions.

Record Christmas Passenger Traffic

The days leading up to Christmas were exceptionally busy. Monday and Tuesday were expected to be the busiest days. Belfast International Airport anticipated strong Belfast International passenger traffic. Around 50,000 travelers were expected over three days. The airport noted it had an "exceptionally busy weekend" already.

George Best Belfast City Airport recorded a daily high. Approximately 10,000 travelers used the terminal on Monday. This figure represents a Belfast City Airport record daily high for the year. The airport focused on a stress-free passenger journey.

Enhanced Passenger Experience

George Best Belfast City Airport added extra staff for support. They also hosted various musical performances. This entertainment welcomed passengers home to Northern Ireland. Carollers and a staff choir, the Belfast City Belters, performed. Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer, noted the "real sense of magic in the air."

Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Passenger Highs

This strong finish caps an overall busy year for both facilities. The Belfast airports busiest days contributed to a successful year. Official figures confirm a major recovery in air travel.

Data from the Civil Aviation Authority confirms the trend. 2024 passenger numbers reached 9.3 million. This total passed the pre-pandemic passenger high of 8.9 million. Belfast International Airport handled over 6.7 million passengers. George Best Belfast City Airport saw nearly 2.4 million travelers. The remaining passengers used City of Derry Airport.

2025 Traffic Trends

Data through October suggests 2025 traffic is stable. Figures remain very close to the strong 2024 totals. This indicates a sustained recovery in UK and Europe travel. The industry sees this as a positive sign for commercial aviation news and future growth. Continued investment in airport infrastructure is key. Belfast International Airport is undergoing a major investment program. This aims to improve the overall passenger experience.