International airport sees rise in profits and travellers

BELFAST International Airport has posted an increase of more than a third in its profits, rising to £510,000.

Passenger numbers at the airport have also increased to almost 4.4 million people — up by around 400,000 on the previous year — according to the business’s latest accounts.

Turnover at the airport increased by 6%, rising from £29.4m to £31.1m for the year ending December 2015.

A spokesman said: “The key economic driver of the business is passenger volume.

“The business has two customer groups influencing this key driver — airlines and their passengers.”

The airport also explained that it planned to “continue to seek every opportunity to increase turnover and profitability”.

Belfast International received a big boost earlier this year with the return of low-cost carrier Ryanair to the airport.