George Best Belfast City Airport (IATA: BHD, ICAO: EGAC) is a single-runway airport in Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom. Situated adjacent to the Port of Belfast it is 3 mi (5 km) from Belfast City Centre. It shares the site with the Short Brothers/Bombardier aircraft manufacturing facility. The airport began commercial operations in 1983.

The airport was formerly known as “Belfast City Airport” until it was renamed in 2006 in memory of George Best, the professional footballer from Belfast. The airport handled over 2.7 million passengers in 2010, a record total for the airport, though the total was only slightly below 2.45 million in 2019.

The airport has a CAA public use aerodrome licence (number P862) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction. Ground handling is provided by Swissport and Menzies Aviation. In 2012 Aer Lingus opened a base at the airport transferring operations from Belfast International Airport. Movements at the airport are predominantly the airlines that operate out of the city are;

Aer Lingus (A320), Aer Lingus Regional (ATR72), Eastern Airways (ATR72, Jetstream 41, occasionally E170), Loganair (ATR42, ATR72, E145, E135, occasionally Saab 340), British Airways (A320, A319, Rarely a A321), BA CityFlyer (E170,E190) and KLM CityHopper (E175,E190).

Due to the close proximity to the city 21:25  is when the last flight is taking place due to noise restrictions

Written by Peter Adam and Luke Wilson. Last update Nov 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04/22	1.829m (6,001 ft)
Terminals	One for all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Not needed as there is a good publich transport to get around.
Restrooms	Only in the Terminal Building or Ikea.
Drinks/Food	All spots have nearby facilites except 1.
Hotels	There are no hotels offering a nice view. Next ones are in downtown.
Season	We suggest April – September, chance of bad weather in winter is pretty high.
Runway Usage
04/22	Runway 22 is mostly used.

	Spot #1 – The Bridge
WHERE	From the terminal walk out and then take the 1st right. The spot is on a footbridge over the railroad tracks which is at Sydenham Train Station and is about 10 mins walk from the terminal building. Of course you can also use the train to get there.
WHAT	04 landing shots, 04 line up shots, 22 departures and vacating shots. Also you can  see business jets parked up at the apron but if you enter the car park you will be moved on. This spot is also the famous spot where you get the harland wolf cranes in your 04 app shots.
TIME	From 0930 until around 1530.
MISC.	There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you from the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm, depending on motive.

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	Spot #2 – The  Taxiway Link
WHERE	From the terminal go right and follow the perimeter fence. Pass the apron right hand side until the carpark. The spot is on a green field. You have to shot thorugh the mesh.
WHAT	Close up planes taxing and vacating and entering runway 22.
TIME	From 0930 until around 1530.
MISC.	If you plan to use this spot then try and keep a low profile as security will move you on if they see you with a camera.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm depending on motiv.

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	Spot #3 – IKEA
WHERE	There is an IKEA furtniture store in the hollywood Exchange Terail Park. Bus no 27 will take you directly to this spot from the city centre. You can´t walk from the terminal to this spot along the perimeter. Climb up to  the multi storey car park to get a fantastic view on the runway. You can even visit the IKEA restaurant to see the runway. Public Transport is available from downtown and the airport by using bus lines 94, 94B, 3c,3d 3j and 3e and exit at Ikea Exchange stop.
WHAT	Best for 04 departuers. Runway 22 touchdown spot and taxi shots are possible but tres blocks most of the views.
TIME	From 0930 until around 1530.
MISC.	Everything within the IKEA.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 depending on motive.

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	Spot #4 – The Turning Circle
WHERE	From IKEAs carpark cross the road and walk to the turning circle. There is a small path between the bushes and a gap to see the runway action. You can shot over the fence from here as you are on a small mound. Park your care at the Ikea lot and don’t block the road at the circle. Public Transport is available from downtown by using bus lines 94, 94B, 3c,3d 3j and 3e and exit at Ikea Exchange stop.
WHAT	Runway 22 touchdown spot and taxi shots also.
TIME	From 0930 until around 1530.
MISC.	On this spot also theres space for a few people so can get cramped when busy. Everything you need within the IKEA store or the nearby Burger King and Coffee store.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm  depending on motive.

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	Spot #5 – The Control Point
WHERE	From the hollywood roundabout take the 1st right and pass a sainsburys on your righthand side. Follow the road round until it goes left to the ILS for 22. Position along the tagged line on the map for all arrivals to find your preferd angle. Parking is available in a dirt road directly below the approach. Otherwise use the offical parking of the hardware store. By public transport use routes 94 and 94b from downtoand and get off at Trident house.
WHAT	Runway 22 arrivals only
TIME	In the morning and afternoon depending on what side you are.
MISC.	There is a supermarket nearby with restrooms etc. The gate and barriers on the road are no longer in use and always open.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm  depending on motive.

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