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Assisted Travel

George Best Belfast City Airport, Airport Road, Belfast, BT3 9JH

Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The airport is conveniently located on the A2 Sydenham Bypass road between Belfast and Holywood, just 5 minutes outside of Belfast’s bustling city centre. Those approaching Belfast from the South on the M1 or from the North on M2 should follow the signs to Belfast City Airport, leading to the A2 Sydenham Bypass via the M3.
      Postcode for satellite navigation: BT3 9JH.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • Belfast City Airport has a designated Airport Express 600 Service with buses every 30 minutes at peak times from the front of the terminal building to the centre of town. The journey only takes around 10 minutes Airport Express 600 Service (Belfast City Centre – George Best Belfast City Airport).
      Tickets are available from the tourist information desk in arrivals or from the driver.
    • For more information on buses to the airport please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Sydenham.
    • Translink operates NIRailways train services across Northern Ireland. When travelling to the airport by train, you'll want to disembark at Sydenham Station. When travelling from the airport, board the train at Sydenham Station and travel to either Belfast Central Station or Great Victoria Street Station, which are both just a convenient 5-10 minute journey away. From either of these train stations, you can then make onwards connections to various popular locations across Northern Ireland and even down into the South of Ireland.
      Train services depart from Sydenham Station regularly during peak times. Please note - there is a footbridge which passengers must cross either going to or coming from Sydenham Station. Therefore, The airport advise passengers against this transport option if they have reduced mobility or experience difficulty when using steps.
      For your convenience, the airport operates a FREE shuttle bus service between the airport terminal and Sydenham Station. Should you require the shuttle service from the airport to the rail halt, please go to the Airport Parking Services desk on arrival with your request. A member of our team will signal the shuttle bus to collect you from the front of terminal.
      Should you require the service from the train station to the airport terminal, there is a telephone located on the airport side at the railway halt. Use this freephone service to dial: 07701 281 835 and request the shuttle service.
    • For more information on trains to the airport please click here (opens new tab).

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For information about assisted travel at the airport please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Assisted Travel Team.
  • There is a portable hearing loop available, which can be used by passengers when using the airport.
    If you wish to use the portable hearing loop please either contact the airport in advance or go to the assisted travel counter in the main terminal building.
  • There is a changing places facility located next to the Check-in Desks.

Passenger Services (Assisted Travel)

  • The counter is located to the right after you enter.
  • The counter is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Clear signage for the counter is visible from the entrance.
  • There is step-free access to the counter.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are moderate to good.
  • The height of the counter is very low (75cm or lower).
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is a bell to attract attention.
  • Clipboards can be provided to anyone who is unable to use the counter.
  • There is a hearing assistance system at the counter.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided near the counter.
  • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
  • There is a waiting area close to the counter.
  • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
  • The seats have an armrest on one side only.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Assistance Provided at the Airport

  • Passengers requiring assistance should arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before departure.
  • Assistance call points are located in the drop off area in the short stay car park, at the assistance desk in the terminal and in the designated assistance area in departures.
  • Assistance is available from the drop off area through to boarding the aircraft and also from arrival to pick up. This includes help with checking in, getting through security and boarding the aircraft.
  • Assistance provided for arriving passengers includes help with collecting baggage and going through passport control (if arriving from an international flight).

How to Obtain Assistance

  • Passengers requiring assistance should notify their airline, travel agent or tour operator at least 48 hours in advance. This information is then transmitted to the airport.
  • On the day of travel, please present yourself at the airline check-in desk or to the Special Assistance Desk, if you have checked in online, within their stated guidelines (most airlines require you to check-in a minimum of 2 hours before departure).
  • You will then be referred to the Special Assistance desk if you require further assistance from the Airport. During peak periods, priority will be given to those passengers who have pre-notified the airline of their requirements.

Information on Mobility Equipment

  • Passengers who are using their own mobility equipment such as manual wheelchairs, scooters or electric wheelchairs can use them until boarding the aircraft. Similarly, on arrival we will return wheelchairs at the aircraft. Information on make, weight and type of electric wheelchair needs to be advised to the airline as soon as possible.
  • Damage to mobility equipment
  • In the unlikely event that, on arrival of your flight, you find your mobility equipment is damaged or cannot be used by you safely , the airport will arrange and pay for local providers to supply temporary replacement equipment (albeit not necessarily on a like for like basis) or if possible by temporarily lending the airports equipment.
  • However, liability for the damage (fixing or replacing the equipment) is with the airline.

Information on Assistance Dogs

  • Assistance dogs travel with the passengers in the cabin of the aircraft. This information needs to be given to the airline, tour operator or travel agent at the time of booking the flights.
  • If travelling on a direct international flight then procedures need to be followed in conjunction with DARD to ensure compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme.

Autism in the Air

  • Belfast City Airport realise how unsettling travelling through an airport and boarding an aeroplane can be for a child on the Autistic spectrum, especially when it’s a break in their routine and they are unsure of what to expect. It can be a stressful journey for both parent and child.
  • However, this section will take you on the journey through Belfast City Airport, using videos to explain the stages you will go through. There are 5 videos, each lasting about 5 minutes, describing what you will see and hear on your journey. This allows you and your child to watch different aspects of the airport process. In filming these sequences, we took a ‘child’s eye’ view.
  • To view the Autism in the Air videos please click here (opens in new tab).

Hidden Disability Lanyards

  • Belfast City Airport provides Hidden Disability Lanyards.
  • The bright green lanyards are designed to alert airport staff to those passengers who have a hidden disability and who may need additional time or consideration when passing through the airport.
  • The lanyards are instantly recognisable to all employees, who have received specialised training to effectively support adults and children with hidden disabilities.
  • The hidden disabilities lanyards can be collected from the Special Assistance desk in the main terminal on the day of travel or in advance of travel.
  • They are free of charge and do not need to be returned, giving users the ability to reuse them each time they travel through Belfast City Airport.

Ambulift and Aviramp

  • George Best Belfast City Airport has two Amublifts and a Aviramp available to provide assistance for passengers boarding.
  • The Amublifts have a rear platform lift to board the vehicle.
  • There is space for up to 7 wheelchairs on the Ambulift.
  • The gradient of the Aviramp will vary depending on the aircraft, assistance will be provided when using the ramp.