Has reached the five million passengers' milestone (Belfast International Airport (BFS))

Member Name: curious_tan

Product:	Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Date:	18/06/07 (319 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The hub for cheapest UK and European holiday flights like easyJet

Disadvantages: Not accessible by train and a little bit far from the city centre

FLYING WITH EASYJET airline from Northern Ireland to any UK and European destinations is always through Belfast International Airport. BIA is one of the major airports in the Irish region that has recently reached a major milestone in its history by having catered to 5 million passengers for the past 12 months. Currently, it is serving 41 scheduled destinations with 26 European and transatlantic, and 15 domestic flights.

Comparing BIA with George Best Airport, it is unlikely the former is popular for European flights, aside for being easyJet's hub, it is also the home of Jet2, bmibaby, Continental airlines, Zoom airlines, Air Transat, Wizz Air, and Manx2. Moreover, most of its chartered holiday and few winter ski flights include Austria, Balearics, Bulgaria, Canada, Canada Islands, Croatia, Channel Islands, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, including Florida and Las Vegas (which starts in March 2008).

I have been to the airport several times for cheap travels offered by easyJet from Belfast to the mainland UK. The airport is located in Templepatrick, approximately 19 miles (27 kms) away from the city centre; 25-30 minutes by car and 30-40 minutes by public transport depending on the traffic condition. In terms of accessibility of BIA, the Airport Express 300 is the only public utility bus that provides a direct link from the city to the airport which departs from Europa Buscentre. Timetables vary but this bus express service is available from Mondays to Sundays which leaves from Europa buscentre every 10 minutes on peak hours, with £6 single and £9 return fares.

Arriving to and departing from the airport is quite manageable considering that the airport is not busy compare to other airports in Dublin or England. By private cars, passengers can jump in/off in front of the airport, and for public transport, there is a bus stop located few meters away – fronting the airport. For passengers who are driving their cars, they can park just across the main building for £3 per day.

Check-in counters and other flight services prior to departures are easy to find – a few steps away from the entrance gate. It is very convenient for people who have heavy luggage/bag who don’t like pulling a trolley prior to entering the main building of the airport. Friendly trolleys are available at the side of the building and can be brought along before reaching the departure lounge/area.

Upon check-in (at least 1 hour before domestic flight), I normally proceed to the departure concourse (at the ground floor) where I could relax and work on with my laptop. At the concourse, there are a variety of shopping facilities could be found, including internet stations. For example, The Aldergrove Bar, an Irish pub which offers a range of drinks from Guinness to beer, just opposite the Food Village. The Food Village has a range of hot food, including filled baguettes, sandwiches, and pastries. Adjacent to it are other stores like Burger King, Caffe Ritazza, O'brien's Irish Sandwich bar, including the internet station and the Photo-me kiosk.

The internet area has user-friendly computers ready for use at £1 per 20 minutes or £3 per hour and 10 pence for B&W laser printing, and with 5 languages translation's feature (Italian, Netherlands, Spanish, French, and German). However, the charge varies on day time basis and requested websites, where the £1 rate is only applicable for MSN and Yahoo browsing. There is a slot for each station to drop the 1 pound coin and a timer is flashed on screen (side bar) to monitor the minutes that lapsed. My laptop has a wifi and bluetooth features and it could easily pick up connection for unsecured internet network. Unfortunately, the available network (T-mobile) requires vouchers or account to reactivate the connection which costs £6 for one hour or £10 for 24 hour service.

In my previous flights, I got the 24 hours connection since I had a long waiting time for my flight in Belfast, and at the same time I was able to use this service in Heathrow while waiting for my connecting flight. T-mobile is available anywhere in UK airports which is quite convenient for business people and the like for easy internet access while away from work or home.

The boarding card check counter is just the opposite side of the Food Village and this is where all the liquid and sharp materials/objects are being confiscated which could be found in the hand luggage. There are designated bins for passengers to throw their unwanted drinking bottles and prohibited objects. X-ray machines are also found to ensure that every passenger is 'harmless' to travel, even belts, coins and keys are taken off from the passengers' body and subject to inspection. Laptops are also inspected by taking it from its bag/case/back pack and place it separately from other personal belongings.

Beyond this card check counter, passengers are free to walk around for final shopping and dining prior to final call. The departure lounge is spacious enough to accommodate the passengers prior to boarding in all 18 Gates. Some of the amenities at this area include: Boots (beauty items), Dixon's (electrical goods); Bar Des Voyagers, (family meals), Café Paul Rankin and Paul Rankin Wine (roasted coffee, salads, pastries, a selection of fine wines, including the all-day breakfast treat), the popular Starbucks, the No Geeks' internet access kiosk, and the Duty Free shops (Les Boutiques, Taste of Ulster, Clockwork Orange). The departure lounge has cushioned seats, high chairs and tables which offer comfort and relaxation while waiting for the flights.

Accessing the aircraft is a little bit a downside of the airport especially during winter and rainy season, where every passenger has to walk through the open ground of the airport where the plane is temporarily stopped. To avoid long queuing at the main door of the aircraft, the rear door is open for passengers seated at the back of the plane. There is also available lift for passengers to provide access to and from the plane with impaired mobility but need advance request from the airport staff.

In the arrival area which is found in the ground floor, there are 3 carousels to accommodate incoming arrivals of checked-in bags. The Delice de France shop is found in the arrival area offering passengers and waiting guests a quick sip of hot drinks and authentic continental bakery products. The Tourist Information desk is also located in the area where both domestic and international visitors can grab updated flyers and brochures on several attractions in Northern Ireland, including accommodations, upcoming events, and transport information. It has a flat screen showing 'must see' tourist attractions in the region.

Aside from these amenities, there are other facilities found in the airport such as the baby changing facilities, children's play area, ATM machines, toilets, special assistance facilities (wheelchairs), taxi service, toilets, World News shops, Travelex, Jumbo Jackpots gaming centre, and the Tourist Information desk.

Toilets are strategically located in both departure and arrival areas specially in catering areas. There are also toilets beside the Business Lounge at Gate 10-14, arrival halls and in the International Departure Lounge. Male toilets have full-size mirrors for better grooming, aside from the side mirrors located in the washing area, and also Braille signs for disabled visitors.

There are four World News shops located in both floors offering best sellers books, magazines, including confectionery, stationery and newspapers, and other travel products. It is recommended to bring your own pocket books unless otherwise you forgot to bring one, then you can avail 2 hard cover books for £20 or £12 for two paperbacks.

The over-18s gaming centre has the latest games and interactive machines for everyone's short-time entertainment and to try your gaming skills. There are also ATMs (Ulster Bank and Northern Ireland), and Travelex for quick and easy money withdrawals and currency exchanges.

An airport Information Desk is also available to provide flight information, passenger assistance and lost property service. A porter service is also available for immediate assistance through the helpline telephones on arrival at the airport.

It is worth to mention that there is a hotel near the airport for visitors who want relax and enjoy the countryside of Co Antrim or just to stay overnight catching early morning flights – a few miles away from the city centre. The Park Plaza is only 25 meters away from the terminal and it offers an affordable accommodation.

FINALLY, I always grab the latest BIA's free magazine, Connect Direct on travel updates. The magazine is a premier guide to travel and lifestyle covering a range of articles and featured discussions for passengers to browse inside the airport. Copies of the publication are located in both levels of the airport, particularly found in the Information desk counter in the departure concourse – at the top of the moving walkway before the Food Village area, and at the Tourist Information desk in arrival area.

Summary: An alternative airport for visitors flying in and from Northern Ireland