(NEWS) BELFAST, Northern Ireland, 2026-Aug-20 — /Travel PR News/ — Belfast City Airport and Translink have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore ways of improving public transport connectivity between the airport and Northern Ireland’s rail network.
The agreement sets out how the two organisations intend to work together on the development and appraisal of options that could make journeys to and from the airport easier, safer and more accessible for passengers.
According to details released by Belfast City Airport, the work will examine a range of possible improvements connecting Translink’s network with the airport. No option has yet been formally selected or approved for delivery, but the agreement marks a step forward in assessing what future airport rail access could look like.
One of the most significant ideas is outlined in Belfast City Airport’s 2040 Master Plan. The plan includes a vision for a new rail halt on the existing Belfast to Bangor line, which could directly serve extended terminal buildings through a new pedestrian link bridge across the Sydenham Bypass.
If progressed, the project could improve airport accessibility and encourage more passengers and staff to choose public transport over private car use. It could also potentially make Belfast City Airport the first airport on the island of Ireland with a dedicated rail connection directly serving its terminal.
That possibility gives the partnership wider significance beyond the airport itself. Better rail access could support more integrated travel across Belfast and the surrounding region, while also aligning with broader sustainability goals and efforts to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
Tim Halley, Chief Development Officer at Belfast City Airport, said the airport has long been defined by its convenience and location close to the heart of Belfast. He said that as passenger expectations evolve and sustainability becomes more important, the airport must continue looking at ways to make journeys easier and more efficient.
He described the partnership with Translink as a shared ambition to improve connectivity and create benefits for passengers, employees, local communities and Northern Ireland as a whole.
For Translink, the agreement fits with its wider goal of making public transport the first choice for travel. Gerard Carlin, Translink Group Chief Executive, said the partnership has the potential to improve safety, accessibility and connections between the rail network and Belfast City Airport.
He also said the initiative supports Translink’s commitment to connecting communities and improving economic, social and environmental wellbeing across Northern Ireland.
The announcement was also welcomed by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who pointed to the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and its emphasis on improving rail connectivity to airports. She noted that no major airport on the island is currently served by rail, and said the Memorandum of Understanding reflects a continued commitment to advancing sustainable public transport.
For passengers, the practical value of any future rail enhancement would depend on the final option selected, funding, planning and delivery. But the direction is clear: Belfast City Airport and Translink are now formally working together to assess how the airport could become more closely connected to the public transport network.
In a region where airport access is closely tied to convenience, economic activity and environmental responsibility, the partnership could become an important part of Belfast City Airport’s long-term development.
