New system cuts security wait times at Belfast City Airport

by Gráinne Connolly

People visiting Belfast City Airport will be able to get through security faster, with new equipment that has been installed. 

According to a spokesperson for the Airport, the average passenger processing time has been "slashed" down to 6 minutes. 

The £1.5 million investment has seen the complete refurbishment of the security area, with the introduction of new security lanes which can process up to six passengers at a time. 

According to a spokeperson for the airport, new electronic boarding pass gates can now process multiple passengers and new scanning equipment has seen queues at peak times "disappear". 

Mark Beattie, Operations Director at Belfast City Airport said: 

“We want to exceed our passengers’ expectations when using the airport and the new security search system has to date received hugely positive feedback from passengers.

“Using the latest technology, we’ve automated much of the security process. Over the past number of weeks, we’ve been monitoring passenger flows. We’re confident 6 minutes is the average time it should take to pass through the new security system.”

The development is part of a £15 million infrastructure investment, which includes a major upgrade of the departure lounge including retail, food and beverage offerings.

Additionally, customer seating has already more than doubled, as have airside customer washroom facilities. 

The investment also includes the purchase of a new fleet of Airport Fire appliances the first of which arrived last month.

The works to security and departure facilities will be fully completed by November 2018.