Another Summer of late flights at Belfast City Airport

The summer season has come to a close and for those living with the constant disturbance of late flights arriving and departing at Belfast City Airport, it could not come soon enough.

During the period 1st January to 31st October 2024, there were 304 late flights, which is an increase of 10 over the same period last year - the biggest and most disruptive increase was in late departures by jet aircraft.

There were 81 late departures in the above period and 75 of these were by jet aircraft, 71 by EasyJet and 4 by British Airways. The worst offender was the EZY804 Belfast City to London Gatwick which was late 46 times between January and October, including 10 times in July and 14 times in September.

Jets make considerabely more noise than propeller aircraft and it is very worrying that this level of annoyance is allowed by Belfast City Airport and accepted by the Department for Infrastructure.

The agreement under which the airport operates provides no protection for those living with this nightly disruption to their leisure and sleep time and the Department for Infrastructure are unwilling or unable to take any meaningful action to protect the residents of Belfast and North Down from this constant nightly disruption to their peace and quiet.